17:30 Warwick

Sunday 9 March 2025

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2316:5817:30

JCB Hydrogen Open NH Flat Race (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 3m 49.50s

Destination Dubai^t1¹⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Oscar Palmer⁽⁷⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| D

20/1

11/2, won 8-runner bumper at Hereford on NH debut 102 days ago on his sole run for Alastair Ralph. One to consider starting out for a new stable.

Form: P-P41

Legal Weapon⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| CD

12/1

Debut C&D bumper winner in December but he raced too freely when ninth of 10 in similar company at Windsor following month. In good hands and well worth another chance.

Form: 19

Les's Destiny Star³⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: B Pauling| BF

11/1

Landed bumper at Doncaster in 2024 and backed it up with a good second of 12 over C&D last March. Off since but he still can't be discounted for his in-form handler.

Form: 12-

Big Boy Barney^t1³²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: F O'BrienWS

6/1

Doyen gelding. Brother to modest hurdler Pass Rusher. Won sole start in Irish points in April. Has since had a wind op so he's a much respected newcomer.

Form: 1-

Big Wigg^t1

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey

18/1

Passing Glance gelding. Half-brother to fair hurdler/chaser Roger Rarebit, stays 3m. Dam winning pointer. Wears tongue strap. One to note in the market on debut.

Form:

Cheesy Icon³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley

33/1

Fair form shown when in the frame in bumpers at Southwell and Huntingdon either side of Christmas. One for the shortlist.

Form: 43

Colin Hobbs²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| D

11/1

Won a point bumper and posted an encouraging fifth of 11 in listed bumper at Newbury 29 days ago. Holds solid claims in these calmer waters.

Form: 1P-5

Howzatjack³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: O Signy

150/1

Last of 8 in bumper at Kempton (12/1) on NH debut 30 days ago. Green there so he can build on it now.

Form: 8

Tao Enki¹⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: A Ralph

40/1

14/1, fifth of 13 in bumper at Chepstow on NH debut 107 days ago. Can take a step forward.

Form: 5

Times Are Green⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle

14/1

Has shaped well on both his runs, a keeping-on fourth of 16 in bumper at Doncaster 44 days ago. In the mix with better still to come.

Form: 64

Wilstar

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

6/5

€250,000 3-y-o, Doctor Dino gelding. Half-brother to top-class hurdler/chaser Douvan and smart hurdler/top-class chaser Jonbon. Lots to like on paper so he's an interesting debutant.

Form:

Katie Sunny Dancer^t1

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Lily Pinchin| T: A M Hales

50/1

Passing Glance mare. Half-sister to a point winner. Dam fair 3m/3¼m chase winner. Wears tongue strap. No forlorn hope on her debut, especially if the market vibes are positive.

Form:

Settle Down Jill⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

15/2

Failed to build on her debut Cheltenham bumper fourth when only seventh in listed bumper at Market Rasen 51 days ago. This Irish point winner remains with potential though. A likely player for top yard.

Form: 1-47

Harbour Light

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Jamie Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

40/1

£8,000 3-y-o, Harbour Law gelding. Half-brother to bumper winner Teeceethree. Dam fair but temperamental 19f-25f chase winner. Newcomer merits consideration.

Form:

Non-Runners

Crystal Force

Weight: 10-6| Age: 4

T: T H Weston J: Jack Tudor

Royale Blue

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: N J Hawke J: David Noonan

Forecasts

Wilstar (6/5), Big Boy Barney (6/1), Settle Down Jill (15/2), Colin Hobbs (11/1), Les's Destiny Star (11/1), Legal Weapon (12/1), Times Are Green (14/1), Big Wigg (18/1), Destination Dubai (20/1), Crystal Force (25/1), Cheesy Icon (33/1), Tao Enki (40/1), Harbour Light (40/1), Katie Sunny Dancer (50/1), Royale Blue (50/1), Howzatjack (150/1)

This is wide open so it could be worth siding with Olly Murphy's WILSTAR, who is a half-brother no less to the top-class duo Douvan and Jonbon, to make a winning start. Dan Skelton's Settle Down Jill rates the form pick and seems sure to be on the premises, while Colin Hobbs, Times Are Green, Legal Weapon and Big Boy Barney all need factoring in too.