16:50 Wincanton

Thursday 6 March 2025

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

Wiltshire & Bath Air Ambulance Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:50 | Winning time: 6m 33.88s

Howaya Now⁷⁸

13/2

Got off the mark in 5-runner novice hurdle at Exeter (21.6f, heavy) in April. Sound return to action back in handicap company at Ffos Las in November but held back by mistakes when well backed at Lingfield a month later. Since undergone a breathing operation.

Form: F421-46

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Whydah Gally^b,t³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-1| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 111| C

16/1

Hit the target twice in handicaps at Lingfield last season but yet to hit top form this term and he's not straightforward. Plenty to prove returned to timber.

Form: 8-2354P

Toonagh Warrior^b³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 111

11/2

Plenty of solid efforts in handicaps for all he's yet to win one. Didn't seem to stay 3m at Newbury penultimate start, which is a concern, for all this is a sharper track. Latest run hardly brimming with promise, either.

Form: 622766

Jack Sprat⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: William Featherstone⁽⁷⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 108| D

8/1

Won two hurdles races at Huntingdon last season and back in top form following a spell over fences when adding to his tally at Exeter in January. Unpenalised for that but subsequent Doncaster run may have come too soon given he was well held. Now up 6 lb.

Form: 1-52410

Saunton Surf¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Daire Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 107

12/1

Bumper winner for Bradley Gibbs in 2023. Made a positive start to this season when runner-up at Lingfield (23f) and was in the process of running well (in second) when falling at the last at Ffos Las in January. Merely plugged on for fifth at Ludlow so looks worth another go at 3m.

Form: 58-25F5

Hillsin¹⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: James Turner⁽⁵⁾| T: R G Hawker| OR: 105

50/1

Dual winner for Alan Jones at the start of last summer. Also posted fine runner-up efforts in July/August but his run of good form came to a halt at Wincanton in October. First run for Richard Hawker after 5 months off.

Form: 1-11227

Jolie Baie^t⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 102

8/1

Resumed with 3m hurdles win at Ffos Las in May and cast aside a heavy defeat on chase debut to end 2024 on the up over hurdles fitted with a tongue tie, second at Huntingdon before going one place better at Lingfield in December. Off since but she's of interest.

Form: 1-19P21

Eileen's Milan^t⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 101

22/1

Had 3 outings in maiden/novice hurdles at Newton Abbot over the summer, showing a fair level of ability when runner-up on the second occasion. Had a wind op but failed to improve in handicaps so hopes rest on marked step up in distance.

Form: 642868

Drash On Ruby^p1,t⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 93

10/3

Remains a maiden after 17 runs under Rules but hard to knock her consistency and she confirmed her stamina for 3m when an excellent second at Taunton last week. Cheekpieces on for first time and she has to be of serious interest from the same mark.

Form: 32/0332

Jongleur D'etoiles^p,t³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 92| BF| CD

10/3

Improved to win a pair of handicaps around 3m this winter. Possibly raced on the unfavoured part of the track when only third on the hat-trick bid at Southwell last time and given another chance to show his mark is still workable.

Form: P85113

Forecasts

Jongleur D'etoiles (10/3), Drash On Ruby (10/3), Toonagh Warrior (11/2), Howaya Now (13/2), Jolie Baie (8/1), Jack Sprat (8/1), Saunton Surf (12/1), Whydah Gally (16/1), Eileen's Milan (22/1), Hillsin (50/1)

DRASH ON RUBY confirmed her stamina for this sort of trip when an excellent second at Taunton a week ago and this likeable mare can gain a deserved first success. Jongleur d'Etoiles may get back on track returned from a short break, with Howaya Now also of interest on the back of a breathing operation.