16:20 Fakenham

Friday 18 October 2024

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

P H Betts (Holdings) Ltd Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 98

10/1, first run since leaving M. Kehoe when respectable fifth of 11 in novice hurdle at Bangor (19.6f, good) 42 days ago. Has been handed a tricky opening mark but there could be more to come.

Form: 6311-F5

Melton Mossy^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 97

Back on the up when landing a 15-runner event at Newton Abbot in August and, while he didn't back it up at the same course since, he's still worthy of some interest.

Form: 115416

Highway One O Five^p1²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 96

4/1, below form third of 8 in handicap hurdle at Fontwell (17.7f, good) 24 days ago. Should strip fitter for that and may have a bigger effort in him tried in cheekpieces.

Form: 95625-3

Laser Focus^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁵⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 95

Yet to score over hurdles but has shaped with encouragement on both starts in this sphere for his current yard and has continued the good work on the Flat since, so looks a big player.

Form: 2444-44

Bahtiyar^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Skelton| OR: 94

Maiden who can be a bit headstrong for his own good but he comes here in good form, respectable fourth of 12 in handicap hurdle at Fontwell (25.7f) 24 days ago. Will have no issues with the drop back in trip and he can get involved.

Form: P5-5534

Double Powerful^h²^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 12-2| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 93| CD

On a roll and had something to spare when winning 9-runner handicap hurdle at Worcester (20f, soft) 2 days ago. Obvious claims if taking his chance, albeit he's facing a very quick turnaround.

Form: 9411-11

Macari¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| OR: 95

Much improved when winning at Plumpton in April and returned to form at Stratford in July. Arrives on the back of a solid showing on the Flat but needs more from this mark.

Form: 7217-P4

The Punt³⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: A E Jones| OR: 85

Second in sole bumper. Unable to make a significant impact over hurdles, though including on handicap debut, and has year-long absence to overcome.

Form: 2/653P-

Gone In Sixty²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 82

Long-standing maiden who wasn't at his best when only seventh at Fontwell last time. More required.

Form: 533227

Cave Article²⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Christian Williams| OR: 78

Runner-up completed start in points so, while he's yet to show anything over hurdles, he's worth monitoring in the betting upped in trip for handicap debut after 6 months off.

Form: P/2P60-

Non-Runners

Sawpit Samantha²⁰⁵

Weight: 10-2| Age: 6

T: Miss J S Davis J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Double Powerful (5/4), Melton Mossy (7/1), Bahtiyar (8/1), Laser Focus (8/1), Highway One O Five (10/1), Macari (10/1), Court Cian (12/1), Cave Article (14/1), Gone In Sixty (14/1), The Punt (33/1), Sawpit Samantha (66/1)

LASER FOCUS has shaped nicely so far over hurdles for James Owen and he's in form from the Flat, so he's worth taking a chance on. 5-timer seeking Double Powerful is a major player if taking up the engagement (only ran two days ago) and Highway One O Five is worthy of respect sporting first-time cheekpieces.