12:40 Newbury

Saturday 6 March 2021

All12:4013:1513:5014:3015:0515:4016:15

BetVictor Seniors' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:41 | Winning time: 4m 58.0s

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Selected odds by:

Highway One O One¹³²

Age: 9| Weight: 12-2| J: Joshua Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 132

15/2

Smart handicap chaser at his peak but has become disappointing, well beaten back over hurdles at Aintree in October, a rare poor run from him in this sphere. Leap of faith required.

Form: 3PP0-60

Mount Mews²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 128

25/1

Temperamental sort, long since not been one to rely on in a finish and without a victory for 3 years. Poor at Musselburgh last time but has dropped yet further in the handicap.

Form: 65-2208

Not A Role Model^t⁶¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: K Brogan⁽⁵⁾| T: S Thomas| OR: 128| D

11/4

Has continued his progress this season, making all in handicap chase at Wincanton and hurdle at Fakenham the last twice. This is tougher but he clearly can't be ruled out in current heart.

Form: 1P2-511

Aintree My Dream^p,t¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-11| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽³⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 127| D

16/1

Rolled back the years to end a losing run in unsatisfactory Wincanton handicap chase last month. Of similar ability over hurdles but not an obvious one for the follow up in this.

Form: 2522U1

Haul Away^p⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 125

25/1

Four-time hurdles winner in 2018 but he was off the track quite a while and has struggled in mixed company this season. Plenty to prove for top yard.

Form: 7/4-4207

Equus Millar⁴⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 122

16/1

Multiple hurdles winner who proved better than ever to double his tally over the larger obstacles at Haydock (2m) in December but was let down by jumping next time. On a fair mark back in this sphere.

Form: 81-4715

Neachells Bridge^p1,t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 121

7/2

A winner over both sets of obstacles and suspect his 2 runs at Wincanton this season haven't got to the bottom of him. Handicapper has helped and he's worth a look in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 3314-36

Eaton Hill^t⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 120

9/2

Back on song before Christmas, first past the post in Doncaster handicap only to be disqualified (rider weighed in light). Promoted winner has boosted the form in the meantime and he could figure.

Form: 5/75-42D

Champagne City⁸⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 120

16/1

His last 2 campaigns have been a washout but he's now 13 lb lower in the weights than for a narrow defeat in 2m handicap at this meeting 2 years ago. Stamina to prove but he could stage a revival.

Form: P7P-770

Ruacana^b⁴²

Age: 12| Weight: 10-7| J: Page Fuller| T: A Irvine| OR: 109

80/1

Very useful at his peak and landed back-to-back Lingfield handicaps (both heavy) in November 2019. However, struggling for form so far this term. Career-low mark now.

Form: 5P5-377

Always Resolute^p⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Tom Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 109

6/1

Flat winner in September, but yet to fire over hurdles this season. Probably only of interest if he's backed in re-fitted headgear.

Form: U/6-8895

Forecasts

Not A Role Model (11/4), Neachells Bridge (7/2), Eaton Hill (9/2), Always Resolute (6/1), Highway One O One (15/2), Champagne City (16/1), Aintree My Dream (16/1), Equus Millar (16/1), Haul Away (25/1), Mount Mews (25/1), Ruacana (80/1)

Plenty not in form, including NEACHELLS BRIDGE, though there is a suspicion his 2 runs at Wincanton this season haven't got to the bottom of him and he could be set for a bigger performance now fitted with cheekpieces for his hot stable. Eaton Hill deserves a change of luck and makes the shortlist along with Equus Millar.