15:10 Warwick
Friday 21 February 2025
All13:1013:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:40
Aston Villa Foundation Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m  |  Soft (Good to Soft in places)  |  12 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 15:10Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 8.96s
Cloth number
Odds
Star rating
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Landed a Dundalk claimer on final run for previous stable and caused a surprise back over hurdles for new yard winning a 17-runner handicap at Wincanton (15.2f) last month. Confirmed that was no fluke when creditable second of 8 at Huntingdon (unlucky not to finish closer). Should go well again.
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Last seen on these shores winning a Hexham novice hurdles (2nd and 3rd won their next start) but has been plying his trade in France with Noel George yard, regressing on final couple of starts (latest when eighth of 9 in first time cheekpieces). Since rejoined this yard and could recapture his form.
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Not stood much racing since runner-up twice in handicap company in 2023 but latest effort step in the right direction, doing well to finish 2nd behind Celtic Art over C&D (soft) 13 days ago having raced too keenly. Only 1 lb higher now and capable of running another big race of this mark.
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Fair winner on the Flat in Germany, bolted up on his Wetherby hurdle debut when trained by the Dan Skelton. Ran to similar level on final run for that yard before leaving disappointing stable debut behind when finishing third of 6 at Sandown (in first time hood). Needs to prove he can back that up.
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C&D bumper winner ran to a similar level on hurdles debut but has largely struggled in maiden events since (sent off at 33/1 and 66/1 latest starts). Drops back in trip now and market should inform whether better is expected on handicap hurdle debut.
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Fifteen runs since his last win in 2021 but shaped creditably when fifth of 11 in a handicap at Bangor earlier this month, albeit made hard work of things, looked to be labouring but rallied). Fairly handicapped if he's on a going day.
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Dual hurdles winner (over longer trips) saw run of hitting the frame come to an end with below-par effort (held up, lost touch after 4 out) at Taunton 17 days ago. He's better judged on his earlier efforts this season and can be seen to better effect ridden more positively over this sharper test.
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Off 9 months/had a wind op before an encouraging fourth of 10 in final qualifying run at Wincanton in December. Fell at 3 out on handicap hurdle debut at same venue last month (visibility reduced by fog) but lightly-raced sort remains of some interest if none the worse for that.
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Arrives out of sorts, latest when eighth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Market Rasen (16.6f, good to soft, 40/1), struggling after fifth hurdle. Best to look elsewhere.
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Ran creditably when last seen in this sphere, finishing sixth of 9 at Worcester in June having got racing too early. Final run on the Flat Simon Pearce was one his better ones and not ruled out back over hurdles on stable debut.
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Found improvement when getting off the mark in 8-runner handicap hurdle at Hereford (16.2f) in November and turned in couple of respectable efforts at same venue afterwards. Well-backed when disappointing on more testing ground last month and needs to bounce back.
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Sent off at big prices in her three qualifying runs but showed something to work with when fifth of 10 at Southwell (15.8f) earlier in month. Capable of better now handicapping (and is worth a market check), although the suspicion is we may see the best of her over longer trips.
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Forecasts
Casi Crudo (11/4), Chicago Storm (5/1), Risk D'Argent (11/2), Lightning Flash (7/1), Another Fine Mess (9/1), Jafimgoso (11/1), Seraphic (11/1), Ted's Friend (14/1), Kourosh (16/1), Culligran (22/1), Cawthorne Banker (33/1), Majestic Mia (66/1)
CASI CRUDO caught the eye when finishing second over C&D 13 days ago, and a repeat of that effort may be good enough to land the spoils. Chicago Storm is proving a shrewd acquisition for current connections and should run well again, while Risk d'Argent is capable at this level if on a going day.
- Casi Crudo11/4
- Risk D'Argent11/2
Prize Money
1st: £4,753.002nd: £2,187.003rd: £1,094.004th: £547.005th: £273.00
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