14:15 Newbury

Saturday 2 December 2023

All11:5512:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:25

'Bet In Race' With Coral Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Gerry Feilden) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 3m 51.79s

Hansard²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 138| D

15/2

Impressive as he won his first 2 starts over hurdles for this yard last winter. Improved again when fourth in 2m Grade 1 novice at Aintree in April and returned with a fine 4¼ lengths second of 4 to Rubaud in Elite Hurdle at Wincanton, looking a threat until losing momentum 2 out. Respected.

Form: 1/1154-2

Under Control²¹⁷

9/4

Her only defeat in 5 starts over hurdles came when well held in Dawn Run at the Cheltenham Festival, bouncing back from that disappointing run to win handicaps at Cheltenham and Sandown in April. Raised another 9 lb but likely has more to come and her yard does well in this race. Had wind op.

Form: 11011-

Brentford Hope^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 133| CD

9/4

Bordering on smart on the Flat and probably going to reach a similar level over hurdles, making it 3-4 from this yard when easily seeing off 10 rivals in a C&D handicap on last month's reappearance. Even an 11 lb rise may not stop him.

Form: 2211-61

Our Champ²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 128| BF| D

6/1

Looked firmly on the up when winning 2m handicaps at Plumpton and Cheltenham on first 2 outings for Chris Gordon. Might have found the run coming a bit too soon after only 8 days off when fifth at Ascot last time and might resume his progression now.

Form: 246-115

Doyen Ta Win^h²⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Kevin Sexton| T: D Queally| OR: 126| D

33/1

Progressive 3-time winner over hurdles last term. Run of good form came to a halt when well held in a Killarney listed handicap in May but no surprise were she to bounce back on return to action.

Form: 31112-0

Bad²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 120

13/2

Winner in France. Better than the result in 2 strong juvenile handicap hurdles for this yard in the spring and made a satisfactory return to action when beaten just under 13 lengths into third at Ascot 4 weeks ago. There's a feeling he has a bigger performance in him at some point.

Form: 2/2106-3

Celtic Art^p¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 120| D

25/1

Useful winner on Flat and took his record over hurdles to 3-7 when reacting well to cheekpieces (retained) to win a 2m Lingfield Class 4 handicap 18 days ago. Only up 3 lb but this is a jump in grade.

Form: 311P-P1

Tapley⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 116| BF| D

18/1

Bounced back to form with a bang to win 13-runner Kempton handicap last month. Creditable third of 10 back there on Monday. Probably vulnerable to more progressive types here, though.

Form: 16-3713

Non-Runners

Punta Del Este¹⁴

Weight: 10-11| Age: 4

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Brentford Hope (9/4), Under Control (9/4), Our Champ (6/1), Bad (13/2), Hansard (15/2), Punta Del Este (14/1), Tapley (18/1), Celtic Art (25/1), Doyen Ta Win (33/1)

BRENTFORD HOPE had plenty in hand in a C&D handicap last month and might be able to defy a rise in the weights with further improvement on the cards. Our Champ had an excuse for a lesser run last time and can resume his progression and provide the chief threat ahead of Under Control, who is seeking to provide Nicky Henderson with a fourth win in this since 2019.