13:35 Newbury

Saturday 2 April 2022

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Play Pick 6 At BetVictor Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 4m 28.02s

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Selected odds by:

Royaume Uni²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 128| D

7/4

Ready winner of 2m Plumpton handicap in October and wasn't disgraced when eighth in the Betfair Hurdle, unable to sustain effort after pulling too hard. Back in calmer waters and ran out an easy scorer at Fontwell 3 weeks ago and he can remain competitive.

Form: 4-13381

Rainyday Woman^t⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125

5/1

Useful dual-bumper winner who has taken really well to hurdles, completing a hat-trick when making all in Taunton listed event in December. Reportedly suffered irregular heartbeat at Lingfield a month later but she's certainly in the right hands.

Form: 0-2111P

Frere d'Armes³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 122

13/2

Runner-up in an Irish point and off the mark at the second attempt over timber at Huntingdon. Defied a penalty with the minimum of fuss at Wincanton before limitations were exposed slightly in Grade 2 company. Handicap debut.

Form: 722116

Mister Marbles¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 114

5/1

Improved for a breathing op, runner-up at Ludlow before getting off the mark in maiden company at Taunton 19 days ago. Opening mark asks for more upped in trip but he's in good hands.

Form: 52521

Mot A Mot^t1⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 114WS

11/4

Good pedigree and kept on well to make successful hurdles debut on return at Worcester in November. Limited impact twice since for Nicky Henderson and has had a wind op ahead of stable/handicap debut. Tongue tie also on.

Form: 410-156

Martin Spirit¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: J E Moore| T: P Butler| OR: 105

150/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser in France who made frame 3 times last summer. Left Francois Nicolle for £60,000 but offered little both starts for this yard.

Form: 2528PP

Non-Runners

Surrey Quest²¹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: Mr Nathan Brennan

Punctuation²⁸

Weight: 10-10| Age: 5

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Pearly Island²⁸

Weight: 10-9| Age: 6

T: L Wadham J: Corey McGivern

Icone D'aubrelle²⁹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 4

T: N P Mulholland J: Mr Sam Waley-Cohen

Forecasts

Royaume Uni (7/4), Mot A Mot (11/4), Surrey Quest (4/1), Punctuation (9/2), Mister Marbles (5/1), Rainyday Woman (5/1), Frere d'Armes (13/2), Icone D'aubrelle (12/1), Pearly Island (16/1), Martin Spirit (150/1)

PUNCTUATION is a handicapper going places for Fergal O'Brien so it would come as no surprise were he to shrug off an 8 lb rise in the weights and complete the hat-trick. Royaume Uni looked good at Fontwell and can remain competitive, with Surrey Quest completing the shortlist.