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16:00 Wetherby
Tuesday 21 February 2017
All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00
Follow racing_uk On Twitter Handicap Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 3f 154y | Good to Soft | 17 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:02 | Winning time: 5m 0.7s
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Won a Naas maiden hurdle for Noel Meade a couple of years ago and was rated 116 in Ireland when runner-up in a 2m3f handicap hurdle (soft/heavy) back at that venue last time. Unable to build on that and shown little for current yard in four runs. Now dropped in class and my well show more.
Been running consistently well of late from slightly lower marks but not getting his nose in front. Stays well, but hard to see a slight rise in his mark being to his benefit.
Sole success was under today's pilot at Plumpton (good) earlier in the campaign and has failed to trouble the judge in two handicaps since. A drop in the weights won't harm his chance and could go very well in this lesser company.
Point-to-point winning mare who has been run out of it when the tap has been turned on in her last two runs over hurdles. This longer trip is very likely to play to her strengths, however, and she could get heavily involved on forecast ground that will suit.
French bumper winner who has not shown much since landing on these shores, except when beaten less than four lengths over a similar trip at Huntingdon last month from today's mark. Disappointed again last time and hard to support with any confidence at present.
Bumper runner-up who has not shown much in novices' company over hurdles and switches to handicapping here from a mark that does not look particularly favourable. Would rather watch this run than get involved just yet.
Kelso novices' hurdle winner a couple of seasons ago but well beaten in all but one of 11 starts since, several being over fences. No signs of a return to form back over hurdles last time.
Very competitive at around mark on several occasions this season, though not managed to win any of them. Conditions and trip no problem and would not be winning out of turn, though may again find one or two too good.
Been sent off at fancy prices on all three hurdles starts and his performances have reflected his odds. Not badly treated on this hurdling debut and with the yard going well it will be very interesting to see how the market reacts.
Point-to-point winner who came for the first time under rules at Uttoxeter last time (2m4f, heavy). Hiked up 10lb for that win, making a follow-up bid look taxing enough given his previous form.
Irish point-to-point winner who put up his best display in England when making the frame over a similar trip at Lingfield (heavy) last month from the same mark as today. Appears to want bottomless ground to be seen to best effect, though the return to this sort of trip looks positive.
Both wins have been at Plumpton, including last time out (2m, soft) from a mark of 98. Stays this far and appears not to be ground dependent, so from the same mark and with the same 10lb claimer up he should be thereabouts in his follow-up bid.
Heavy ground Ayr bumper winner in March but seen more than he would have liked of his opponents' backsides in five hurdles runs. Ran well enough from 1lb higher at Newcastle over slightly further last time and looks capable of a bold showing, although forecast going may not be quite as testing as he would like.
All three wins have been on soft or heavy ground, including the latter when scoring at Ayr (2m3f) last month from a mark of 82. 5lb higher and beaten last time, but capable of picking up some prize money.
Sole hurdles success was on heavy at Newcastle (2m) a couple of years ago, but has won at up to 1m6f on the Flat, so stamina not an issue. Seems to go on any ground and now that he has been dropped 7lb and has his rider's claim to come off he is beginning to look attractively weighted.
Well beaten in all hurdles starts and failed to complete on his handicap introduction in December. Stays 1m4f on the Flat, but hard to fancy.
It is now four years since this veteran's sole win and although trip and ground hold no fears it is hard to envisage him breaking coming back to win a big field event like this after over two years away from the track.
Non-Runners
7
Being Global65
Weight: 11-10| Age: 6
T: Mrs Caroline Bailey J: A Pogson
NR
18
Torero14
Weight: 10-0| Age: 8
T: Miss J E Foster J: Henry Brooke
NR
Forecasts
Aengus (9/2), Modulus (9/2), Milan Express (11/2), The Game Is A Foot (13/2), Grays Choice (17/2), Citrus (10/1), Mortens Leam (12/1), Cheque En Blanc (16/1), Next Edition (18/1), Derrick D'Anjou (20/1), Torero (20/1), Being Global (20/1), Buckontupence (25/1), Simmply Sam (33/1), Quarry Wizard (33/1), Politbureau (100/1), Apachee Prince (100/1), I Know The Code (100/1), Sthenic (125/1)
GRAYS CHOICE showed signs of hitting form last time an represents a yard going well. He might be capable of taking this, though there is a slight concern over the ground for him. Politbureau is lurking on a dangerous mark now and the same can be said of Torero, whose capable trainer has him back at 1lb below his last win. Aengus is another who could be well treated, while Milan Express and Citrus are others likely to have a say.
1. Grays Choice
2. Milan Express
3. Torero
Prize Money
1st: £3,574.002nd: £1,049.003rd: £525.004th: £262.00
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