14:50 Newton Abbot

Wednesday 14 May 2025

All14:1914:5015:2215:5516:3017:0517:40

Terry Wheeler Birthday Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 4m 24.09s

Byzantium^h,t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 105

14/1

Lightly-raced hurdler was running well (looked a likely second) when fell last in handicap hurdle (15/2) at Plumpton (15.9f, good to soft) 23 days ago. Ought to be thereabouts off the same mark.

Form: 2/24PF-

Get The Value⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Kielan Woods| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 100

9/2

Ridden more prominently than usual when opening his account in 10-runner handicap hurdle (10/1) at Stratford (16.3f, good to soft) 46 days ago, going with enthusiasm. Hiked up 9 lb but remains very much one to consider.

Form: 652PP1-

Ventara¹⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 93| BF

9/2

Fair maiden hurdler wasn't discredited when sixth of 13 in handicap at Taunton (18.2f, good to soft) on his debut over fences in November. Merits consideration reverted to hurdles.

Form: 5424/26-

Inchagoill Lady^t,p³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Lewis Saunders⁽⁷⁾| T: K Pickard| OR: 86

9/1

Had a wind op before getting off the mark in 7-runner handicap hurdle at Taunton (23.9f, good to firm) 35 days ago. Down in trip but not taken lightly in her current mood.

Form: 334PP1-

Pink Eyed Pancho^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: C Brace| T: D Brace| OR: 80| D

5/2

Much improved on his first go in handicaps when cosy winner at Taunton (19f, good) 21 days ago. Hiked up 10 lb but can go on again so he's firmly in the picture.

Form: 3/0PP31-

Oval Street^p¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Reed| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 80

50/1

Multiple point winner but only modest form in varied events under Rules for Mark Gillard and only ninth starting out for a new yard in 2m3f Fontwell handicap 19 days ago. Hard to warm to.

Form: 42/3679-

Stinginhisstep⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 80

40/1

Headstrong sort who finished down the field all 3 starts in bumpers and similar story in 2m novice hurdles at Chepstow and Exeter (2) this winter. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 860669-

Mr Zee^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: M Blake| OR: 79

11/2

Multiple Flat winner who made it thirteenth time lucky in this sphere at Taunton (2m) in March. Backed it up with a good third of 7 at Hereford (2m4f) since so fancied to go well again.

Form: 644313-

Kintaro^v³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 77

14/1

Remains winless and he was tongue tied when pulled up in 2m Taunton handicap last month. Others appeal more.

Form: 4F643P-

Square Du Roule³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: James Davies| T: N J Hawke| OR: 75

9/1

Off 9 months/had breathing surgery before posting a good fourth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (19f, good) 30 days ago. Not ruled out if building on this despite being 4 lb "wrong" in the weights.

Form: 87/9854-

Non-Runners

Thankyouandplease²⁵

Weight: 11-6| Age: 5

T: Anthony Charlton J: C O'Farrell

Forecasts

Pink Eyed Pancho (5/2), Get The Value (9/2), Ventara (9/2), Mr Zee (11/2), Square Du Roule (9/1), Inchagoill Lady (9/1), Thankyouandplease (10/1), Byzantium (14/1), Kintaro (14/1), Stinginhisstep (40/1), Oval Street (50/1)

A case can be made for a few of these but THANKYOUANDPLEASE rates the pick at these weights on the back of his eye-catching recent third here so gets the nod. Taunton scorer Pink Eyed Pancho looks to have more to offer and is next on the list, although the likes of Get The Value, Byzantium, Mr Zee and Inchagoill Lady can all have a say too in this competitive handicap.