15:50 Newton Abbot

Friday 7 July 2023

All14:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 3m 54.57s

Glorious Zoff^h,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| OR: 124| D

7/2

Rejuvenated following a breathing operation and landed 2m Warwick handicap before falling last when in control at Bangor 27 days ago. Can gain compensation despite taking a 4 lb rise.

Form: 4/P4P-1F

Throne Hall^b1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Watson| OR: 121

5/1

Useful on the Flat and winner of first 2 starts over hurdles. Below form since though so first-time blinkers need to spark a resurgence.

Form: 114P-4

For Pleasure¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales| OR: 120| D

4/1

Free-going front runner who took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 11 to Glorious Zoff in handicap hurdle at Warwick (16f, good to firm) 44 days ago. Weighted to go well if building on it.

Form: 4407-5V

Manor Park^t¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: B Barr| OR: 120| CD

10/1

C&D winner but he came in only sixth of 7 in handicap on Flat at Lingfield 36 days ago. Switches to hurdles with a bit to prove.

Form: 28413-V

Coolnaugh Haze^p1¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 111

4/1

Fair handicap hurdler who comes here in good nick, third of 9 in handicap hurdle at Worcester (16f, good) 16 days ago. Cheekpieces go on. Ought to be in the shake-up again.

Form: 26-4223

Just The Man^p³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 110

14/1

It's now 12 runs since his last win in 2022 and only fifth of 6 in handicap hurdle over C&D 30 days ago when retried in cheekpieces. Others appeal more.

Form: 4F9-625

Cabrakan^p⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris| OR: 111

11/2

Dual winner at Newcastle and Hereford last season. Back to form when second at Uttoxeter latest but needs to brush up his jumping.

Form: 21213-2

Thahab Ifraj²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Toby Wynne⁽⁵⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 102

33/1

Capitalised on a falling mark when successful at Fontwell last August but below par all three runs since, last of seven at Hexham 20 days ago. Hard to make a case for.

Form: 35167-7

Forecasts

Glorious Zoff (7/2), Coolnaugh Haze (4/1), For Pleasure (4/1), Throne Hall (5/1), Cabrakan (11/2), Manor Park (10/1), Just The Man (14/1), Thahab Ifraj (33/1)

GLORIOUS ZOFF hasn't looked back since undergoing wind surgery and can make amends for his last-flight fall at Bangor when having the race in safe keeping. For Pleasure took a step back in the right direction when fifth to Fergal O'Brien's improver at Warwick and rates the chief threat ahead of the reliable Coolnaugh Haze.