15:44 Newton Abbot

Saturday 19 April 2025

All13:5914:3415:0915:4416:1916:5417:29

Thatchers Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:44 | Winning time: 4m 21.06s

Thankyouandplease¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 95

14/1

Runner-up completed start in Irish points in January and displayed ability in trio of hurdle starts in recent weeks, outpaced before straight when fourth of 5 in Plumpton maiden (15.9f) on qualifying run. Switch to handicaps in his favour and interesting if market vibes proved positive.

Form: PP2424

Dexter^t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: David Bass| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 94| D

15/2

Multiple winner in France who ran to a similar level as on return, not beaten far when last of 3 in a C&D handicap chase 9 days ago.

Form: 0066-43

John Betjeman^v1¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Joe Anderson⁽³⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 91

7/4

On a lengthy losing run but mark reflects that and he ran well in refitted blinkers when runner-up at Wincanton (15.2f) last month. Hasn't built on that in 2 subsequent runs but fitting of a first-time visor may well put an extra edge on him.

Form: 350264

Clear Storm^p¹⁰¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 88

16/5

Fair handicapper on Flat. Barely modest form over hurdles to date but made more impact than previously in refitted cheekpieces when third of 10 in mares' handicap at Taunton (16.5f) in January, going like the best horse at the weights but idling late on. Interesting starting out for new yard.

Form: 6P43

Organic^p1¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 87

33/1

A 3-time winner on Flat at up to 1¼m for George Boughey in 2024. Some promise in qualifying hurdle runs but weak in betting and made a very low-key start in handicaps when fifth in 6-runner contest at Ludlow 17 days ago. Cheekpieces now reached for.

Form: 7565

Greystoke^t¹⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁵⁾| T: J D Frost| OR: 78| CD

14/1

Flat/hurdles winner for Alan King (including over C&D) but limited impact in 6 hurdle starts for present stable and chasing quickly aborted following a low-key effort at Exeter in October. Subsequent 6-month break needs to have had positive effect ahead of this.

Form: 5-598P0

Opticality²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: David Noonan| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 77

7/2

Dual winner on Flat for Mitchell Hunt and more good than bad efforts in that sphere for present yard. Returned to hurdling with a creditable fourth of 14 in handicap at Taunton (16.5f) 25 days ago and a repeat gives her claims of getting involved.

Form: 58/457-4

For You Buzz²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 84

20/1

Didn't achieve much in qualifying runs and no upturn in pair of handicap starts at Hereford/Stratford last month. Pedigree offers hope longer trips will suit in due course but market confidence behind him would need to be viewed positively.

Form: U638P

Non-Runners

Holy Legend¹⁴⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: Alexandra Dunn J: Sean Houlihan

Mind Hunter⁴⁴

Weight: 10-6| Age: 7

T: B J Llewellyn J: H Cobden

Forecasts

John Betjeman (7/4), Clear Storm (16/5), Opticality (7/2), Holy Legend (7/1), Dexter (15/2), Thankyouandplease (14/1), Greystoke (14/1), For You Buzz (20/1), Organic (33/1), Mind Hunter (33/1)

CLEAR STORM made more impact than previously in this sphere and went like the best horse at the weights before essentially idling her chance away when third on handicap debut at Taunton in January. Being delivered later looks the way to go on that evidence and she can confirm the promise of that run and come out on top for her new yard. Opticality and John Betjeman may emerge as the lead dangers.