15:00 Warwick

Sunday 10 March 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Hazelton Mountford Insurance Brokers Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 51.50s

El Saviour⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-1| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: L Wadham| OR: 111| C

11/1

Runner-up in sole in Irish point in April 2022 and went one better in 2m course novice on hurdle debut in November. Ran poorly at Plumpton next time but back on track when third at Sandown (2m, heavy) since. Hard to argue his opening handicap mark looks generous but he is unexposed now up in trip.

Form: 2/103

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Petty Cash³⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 110

22/1

A hurdler on the up in spring 2022 but not seen since a couple of falls over fences last winter. Is nicely handicapped if ready to roll after an absence, particularly if her rider's 5 lb claim is taken into account, but betting perhaps the best guide to expectations.

Form: 112/4FF-

Theyseekhimthere²²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 110

33/1

Had a breathing op prior to defying huge odds on hurdle debut at Lingfield (19.5f) in November. Hasn't built on that since, albeit he was always likely to be up against it in a decent novice at Ascot last time and more realistic chance now handicapping.

Form: 7-1847

Bertie B¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 108

9/2

Bumper winner who took a bit of time to click over hurdles but came good in a 2¾m Hereford handicap a fortnight ago. Should remain very competitive up 5lb for an owner-trainer who has his small string in good order.

Form: 53-P731

Risk D'Argent⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 108

10/1

Winning hurdler who reappeared with a good second of 17 in a 2m handicap here in November. Made rather hard work of things when fifth in another 2m course handicap 8 weeks ago and now steps up in trip.

Form: 437-245

Zonda^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 107| BF

9/4

Boasts an appealing pedigree and has made the frame on all 4 starts, improving again when second of 7 in 21f Wincanton handicap (heavy) last month. Big player for a stable with a strong recent record in this.

Form: 3442

Presenting Nelly^t⁸⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 107

14/1

Bumper winner who won mares' hurdle events at Worcester (maiden) and Newton Abbot (novice) last summer. Pulled up on Leicester chase and handicap debut in December and quickly reverts to hurdles.

Form: 34116P

Big Blue Moon¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 105| BF

7/1

Made winning handicap hurdle debut at Carlisle (17f) last March. Second at Chepstow 4 days later but not seen again until pulled up over fences at Doncaster last month. The fact he went off at 11/8 suggests a lot better was expected and no surprise were he to resume his progression back hurdling.

Form: 93312-P

Bobalot^b,t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 102

14/1

Resumed winning ways back hurdling in 9-runner 2¾m Fontwell handicap in January but a 7 lb higher mark was enough to find him out back there since. Possibly vulnerable for win purposes again.

Form: 4-54P14

Shuil Ceoil²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 101

10/1

Confirmed earlier promise when winning 15-runner handicap at Exeter (21f, heavy) in December. Creditable second at Fontwell next time and pulled too hard under a 7 lb claimer when a remote fourth latest. Treated as if still in form with Sam Twiston-Davies taking the reins this time.

Form: 73-U124

J'habite En France^t⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case| OR: 100WS

25/1

Fetched £40,000 after finishing second in a 2½m maiden point at the start of 2023 and showed plenty of ability when runner-up on his completed start in maiden hurdles in the autumn. Tailed off when unseating in Doncaster novice in December and has subsequently had wind surgery. Handicap debut.

Form: 2-F2U

Golden Ambition^p1³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 99

12/1

Promise on 2 of his 3 starts in novice/maiden hurdles but failed to improve for switch to handicap company at Kempton (21f) last month, racing lazily. First-time cheekpieces need to sharpen him up.

Form: 0-4055

Kojin⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 94

250/1

Fairly useful performer on the Flat in Ireland but failed to make a significant impact over hurdles there and no promise on the Flat/over hurdles since joining this yard. Could only consider if backed.

Form: 707/7P7

Forecasts

Zonda (9/4), Bertie B (9/2), Big Blue Moon (7/1), Shuil Ceoil (10/1), Risk D'Argent (10/1), El Saviour (11/1), Golden Ambition (12/1), Presenting Nelly (14/1), Bobalot (14/1), Petty Cash (22/1), J'habite En France (25/1), Theyseekhimthere (33/1), Kojin (250/1)

The Jonjo O'Neill stable looks to stand a good chance of winning this race for the fourth time in the last 5 years courtesy of ZONDA, who has shaped like a winner in waiting in his 2 handicaps so far. Bertie B rates a likely threat on the back of his recent Hereford success, while the fact that Big Blue Moon went off a short-priced favourite on his chase debut/reappearance suggests his stable thinks he's still well treated and he could bounce back returned to hurdles.