15:35 Newbury

Friday 1 December 2023

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Play Coral 'Racing-Super-Series' For Free Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 5m 59.74s

Simply The Betts³⁰⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139

40/1

Smart handicap chaser who unseated at Cheltenham 10 months ago. Might need the run back in this sphere.

Form: 252/79U-

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Espoir De Romay^p³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 137

20/1

Very capable sort who has been lightly raced in recent seasons. Underwent another breathing operation prior to poor run behind Hyland at Cheltenham last time. Might strip fitter for that, however.

Form: 3P/52-30

Hyland³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135| D

9/2

Arrives in top form, making it two from two this season with a cosy success at Cheltenham last time. That form isn't working out but still merits obvious respect.

Form: 1327-11

Hurricane Harvey^t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129| D

33/1

Recorded back-to-back wins around 3m at Uttoxeter and Ludlow last winter. Made a creditable return at Uttoxeter but found things too competitive at Cheltenham since.

Form: 5392-39

Gentleman At Arms^p,t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 129| C

16/1

Useful sort who looked back to something close to his best when landing an 11-runner handicap at Aintree last time. Remains fairly treated on old form, so can't be discounted.

Form: 984-051

Regal Blue²¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126

22/1

Easily off the mark at the second attempt in points and readily landed his first start under Rules at Ffos Las in January. Disappointing in listed event at Perth in April but remains with potential going into handicaps on return.

Form: 4/116-

Iceo Madrik^p,t²³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 125WS

40/1

Useful chaser in France for David Cottin but he has offered little so far for this yard. Something to prove back over hurdles after 7 months off.

Form: 6FF2PP-

Ed Keeper^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 124

10/3

Low-mileage hurdler who is going the right way and was clear of the remainder when runner-up at Ascot last time. Unlikely to have finished improving, so boasts strong claims up in trip.

Form: 321-2

Ramo²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 123

4/1

Progressive since upped to staying trips and added to his stables excellent recent spell when grinding out victory at Ludlow 22 days ago. Should go well again if not pestered too much up front.

Form: 33112-1

Rambo T³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 123

7/1

Added to his tally at Newton Abbot in October and backed it up with an even better effort when third in a competitive event at Cheltenham last time, faring best of those held up. Should be on the premises again.

Form: 21U-713

Skandiburg^t²⁵²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: James Davies| T: Charlotte Fuller| OR: 120| D

40/1

Has fallen in the weights and produced one of his better efforts when third over C&D in March. Down another 2 lb so not without interest on return.

Form: 785563-

Hoe Joly Smoke³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 118

7/2

Successful sole outing between the flags and, while he's only achieved fair form to date over hurdles, he promises to be well suited by this longer trip on handicap debut, so definite player.

Form: 1/23P-3

Forecasts

Ed Keeper (10/3), Hoe Joly Smoke (7/2), Ramo (4/1), Hyland (9/2), Rambo T (7/1), Gentleman At Arms (16/1), Espoir De Romay (20/1), Regal Blue (22/1), Hurricane Harvey (33/1), Simply The Betts (40/1), Iceo Madrik (40/1), Skandiburg (40/1)

ED KEEPER is on the up and the way he travels suggests there is more still to be unlocked, so he's narrowly preferred to the hat-trick seeking Hyland, with Ramo also considered on the back of a game success at Ludlow. Hoe Joly Smoke should improve for the longer trip now handicapping, so he can't be ruled out either.