14:25 Newbury

Saturday 30 November 2024

All12:0712:4013:1513:5414:2515:0015:35

Coral Racing Club Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Gerry Feilden) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 54.50s

Salver²⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 12-0| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 143| D

9/1

Developed into a very useful juvenile hurdler last term, winning his first 4 starts in the mud before posting a fine third in Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham final run. One to consider on his return.

Form: 11113-

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Ballee^h²⁰³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 136| DWS

12/1

Impressed when winning a brace of 2m Taunton novices last term and ran a cracker when second on handicap bow at Aintree in April, displaying a great attitude. Pulled up at Haydock when last seen but almost certainly found that coming too soon and returns with yard in fine form. Had breathing op.

Form: 311U2-P

Our Champ^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 136| D

11/1

Returned to his best with a recent run behind when coming out on top in a close finish in 10-runner handicap hurdle at Ascot (15.7f, good) 28 days ago, despite rider dropping his whip on the run-in.

Form: 3713-61

Jeriko Du Reponet²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135| BF| CD

10/3

Successful sole start in points and looked a fine prospect when winning his 3 starts over hurdles, including a Grade 2 at Doncaster. Pulled up in Supreme at Cheltenham and played up beforehand when running no sort of race on chasing bow at Sandown on return. Still of interest back over hurdles.

Form: 1/111P-P

Queens Gamble³³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: Harry Derham| OR: 130| D

6/1

Listed bumper winner for Oliver Sherwood who won all 3 starts over hurdles for this yard last season, latterly in 6-runner listed event at Taunton (16.5f). Off 11 months but will go on improving and opening mark looks potentially lenient.

Form: 120/111-

Liari⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| D

9/1

Fairly useful on Flat in France and similar form when winning all 3 starts in juvenile hurdles for this yard, latterly at Musselburgh in February. Held back by jumping in Fred Winter at Cheltenham but shaped well when third at Chepstow (2m) on return and interesting with that under his belt.

Form: 111P-3

Ooh Betty^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 129| D

11/1

Three wins last season, including a Hereford handicap, and ended her campaign with a series of good placed efforts. Has a breathing operation prior to making a successful reappearance in 7-runner handicap at Sandown (2m) but this will require another step forward.

Form: 12232-1

Ballybentragh²³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr D Maxwell| T: G & J Moore| OR: 128| D

18/1

Irish point winner who made a successful start over hurdles at Sandown in January. Good efforts under a penalty next 2 starts prior to facing a stiff task in Aintree Grade 1. Opening mark not overly generous but he has the physique to go on improving this season, not least when sent chasing.

Form: 221226-

Aston Martini¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: David Bass| T: N J Henderson| OR: 123| D

9/1

Bumper winner who also landed her first 2 starts over hurdles last winter. Possibly unsuited by more testing conditions when a remote fourth in Sandown Grade 2 in February and resumed her progress sent handicapping when runner-up at Bangor (19.6f) recently, still finding when jinking at the last.

Form: 1114-2

The Famous Five²⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 120| D

20/1

Fairly useful Flat winner in France who was going the right way over hurdles when last seen, readily landing handicaps at Leicester in January and Bangor in March. Has an 8-month absence to overcome in a deeper race but could have more to offer for a yard that has clicked into gear lately.

Form: 9/33411-

Navajo Indy³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: G Sheehan| T: T Symonds| OR: 120| CD

15/2

Fairly useful bumper winner who made the most of a good opportunity to open his account over hurdles at Wincanton (15.2f) in April. Took his form up a notch when defying a penalty at Bangor 7 months later, though was rather fortunate. Into handicaps now and ought to give his running once more.

Form: 12231-1

Excelero^h²⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 120

11/1

Chased home Salver at Warwick on debut then Sir Gino at Cheltenham (fourth) before making the most of a good opportunity back down in grade at Market Rasen in March. Still looked raw when third under a penalty at Kempton on final outing and remains with potential.

Form: 241-3

Castelfort²⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 118| D

50/1

Showed fairly useful form when winning a pair of juvenile events last season. Found his good run of form coming to a halt on handicap debut at Sandown on final outing and reappears in a strong-looking event.

Form: 21126-

Forecasts

Jeriko Du Reponet (10/3), Queens Gamble (6/1), Navajo Indy (15/2), Salver (9/1), Liari (9/1), Aston Martini (9/1), Our Champ (11/1), Excelero (11/1), Ooh Betty (11/1), Ballee (12/1), Ballybentragh (18/1), The Famous Five (20/1), Castelfort (50/1)

BALLEE showed plenty of ability over hurdles last season, including when shaping best in a big-field handicap at Aintree in the spring and, with his final run at Haydock easily excused, he's an appealing candidate returning with his yard firmly amongst the winners. Unbeaten hurdler Queens Gamble has an 11-month absence to overcome but her opening BHA mark could easily underestimate her, while Our Champ won in a good time at Ascot and completes the shortlist.