16:13 Newton Abbot

Monday 20 May 2024

All14:1314:4315:1315:4316:1316:4317:13

Racing Partnership Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 4m 26.85s

Light Em Up Nigel⁵¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: James Bowen| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 105

9/2

Runner-up 5 times from 7 starts over hurdles but absent since misfiring (did too much too soon) at Market Rasen on Boxing Day 2022. Chances are he'll come on for the run.

Form: 222220/

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Winterwatch^p1,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Megan Bevan⁽⁷⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 102| BF

2/1

Three-time winner on the Flat and though 0-11 over hurdles he has posted several creditable efforts in this sphere, including when fourth in a 16-runner Taunton handicap (16.5f, good) last month. Wouldn't need to improve much for the addition of cheekpieces in order to take this.

Form: 543534-

Lost In The Mist^t²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley| OR: 101

9/2

Modest in bumpers for Thomas Gallagher but, having showed a bit on hurdles debut for new yard in a Southwell seller, he took a big step forward when second in a Chepstow maiden (2m, good). This stiffer test should suit now handicapping and he's one to consider.

Form: 8338/32-

Bears Hug²²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Cameron Iles⁽⁷⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 100

40/1

Successful twice on the Flat in Ireland (both on polytrack) but well held in that sphere when last seen in October and he hasn't shown much in 7 starts over hurdles. Probably best watched on debut for new yard.

Form: 0400/90-

Culligran²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 86

11/1

Unplaced both completed starts in points but some promise in pair of maiden/novice hurdles last month. Needs to raise her game now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 5/5F44-

Always Force It^t¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Ben Godfrey| T: H Brown| OR: 84

40/1

Shaped well in pair of handicap hurdles for Gavin Cromwell in the autumn but no show in 3 starts for present yard.

Form: 0/55P0-7

Hour Star^h²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 82

11/2

Runner-up on the first of his 2 starts in bumpers and while he's failed to get competitive in half-a-dozen runs over hurdles to date, there's a good chance that he'll be seen in a better light now handicapping.

Form: 57P083-

Zulu^b1¹¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: David Noonan| T: Miss G Haywood| OR: 80

50/1

Again offered little back from a 2-year absence at Exeter in January and hopes now pinned on the first-time blinkers sparking significant improvement.

Form: 56P9P/P-

Grandmaster Flash^p¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 77

6/1

Three-time AW winner on the Flat but no real impact in his 5 starts over hurdles (unseated rider at the first last time). Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 5774-U

Angus De Bull⁴⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Conor Ring| T: R Potter| OR: 47

100/1

Is yet to show any worthwhile form and he's a long way out of the weights back from a lengthy absence.

Form: 00P009/

Forecasts

Winterwatch (2/1), Lost In The Mist (9/2), Light Em Up Nigel (9/2), Hour Star (11/2), Grandmaster Flash (6/1), Culligran (11/1), Bears Hug (40/1), Always Force It (40/1), Zulu (50/1), Angus De Bull (100/1)

This represents a good opportunity for WINTERWATCH to open his account over hurdles. The 6-y-o shaped as though this step back up in trip would be in his favour when fourth in a big field at Taunton and is appealing with a capable amateur booked and first-time cheekpieces enlisted. Handicap debutants Lost In The Mist and Hour Star appear the most likely to make a race of it with the selection, given that Light Em Up Nigel is returning from a 17-month absence.