17:00 Newton Abbot

Tuesday 22 August 2023

All14:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:01 | Winning time: 6m 29.30s

Lelantos^p²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 100

8/1

Arrives in good nick, second of 7 in handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter (23.3f, good to soft) 25 days ago. Cheekpieces back on. Can go well again.

Form: P3-7332

Ratfacemcdougall^b,t⁹³

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Max Kendrick| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 100

40/1

Racked up 5 wins over hurdles in 2020/21 season but has largely struggled to make an impact since. Mark continues to fall but others are preferred.

Form: 45U47-4

Seymour Promise^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁷⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 93

20/1

Remains a maiden and pulled up in handicap chase here (21f, good to soft) 30 days ago, struggling from 5 out. Switches to hurdles with lots to prove.

Form: 227-52P

Fortunate Fred^p,t³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 91| BF

22/1

Is operating below his best at present, third of 11 in novice hurdle here (18.5f, good to soft) 36 days ago. Significantly up in trip for his handicap debut so can't be ruled out.

Form: 23-6323

Ernesto^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Ian Williams| OR: 91

28/1

Scored at Hereford (25f) last autumn but has struggled since. Mark in freefall as a result but others still appeal more.

Form: 8PP-447

Jack The Farmer^p³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 91

15/2

Finally got off the mark with a ready success at Worcester (23f) before posting a good second of 6 in handicap over C&D (good to soft) 30 days ago. Cheekpieces back on and well in the mix.

Form: 232212

Bensini²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Bradley Harris⁽⁵⁾| T: R L Llewellyn| OR: 83

6/1

Opened his account at Worcester and not discredited when fifth of 11 at Southwell (2m4f) later in July. Considered off the same mark.

Form: 690P-15

Shortcross Storm^b²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour| OR: 83| CD

16/1

Scored over fences here in May but did too much too soon when fourth of 6 in handicap chase at Uttoxeter (24f, good) 23 days ago. Not ruled out back in this sphere.

Form: 4P6-144

Wearapinkribbon^b³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 82

9/1

It's now fifteen runs since last win in 2020 but he posted a good third of 6 in handicap hurdle over C&D (good to soft) 30 days ago. Possibilities.

Form: 05P94-3

Rubys Reward^h,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 82| BF| D

9/2

Resumed winning ways at Worcester in July and backed it up (in first-time hood) with excellent second of 12 in handicap there (23f, good) 21 days ago. Player nudged up 1 lb.

Form: 744-212

Danzini^t,v1⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 81

10/1

Won at Southwell last summer and got back on track with tongue strap/cheekpieces added when close last of 3 to Saxon Queen over C&D 76 days ago. Visored now and ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 217P-73

Saxon Queen³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 78| BF| CD

15/2

Unreliable individual but she scored over C&D in June and backed it up with a good second of 10 at Stratford (26.4f, good to soft) 30 days ago. Others are still preferred though.

Form: 050/212

Testflight³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 72

5/1

Took a step back in the right direction when fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Stratford (26.4f, good to soft) 30 days ago. Shortlisted in his bid for a maiden success.

Form: 537-544

Etoile Brillante^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 71

150/1

No sign of ability in 3 bumpers and well held all 3 starts over hurdles too following a wind op . Has lots to find.

Form: 0/60-459

Foillmore⁹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: J D Frost| OR: 70

50/1

Poor maiden hurdler. Pulled up in handicap chase at Stratford (17f, good) on debut over fences 93 days ago. Needs to bounce back reverted to hurdling.

Form: 33PP3-P

Forecasts

Rubys Reward (9/2), Testflight (5/1), Bensini (6/1), Saxon Queen (15/2), Jack The Farmer (15/2), Lelantos (8/1), Wearapinkribbon (9/1), Danzini (10/1), Shortcross Storm (16/1), Seymour Promise (20/1), Fortunate Fred (22/1), Ernesto (28/1), Ratfacemcdougall (40/1), Foillmore (50/1), Etoile Brillante (150/1)

Little between the principals on form but RUBYS REWARD comes here at the top of her game so edges the vote off just a 1 lb higher mark than her excellent recent Worcester second. Bensini is also weighted to have a big say ahead, with in-form pair Jack The Farmer and Danzini also in the mix.