14:10 Newbury

Saturday 4 March 2023

All13:4014:1014:4515:2516:0016:3517:10

BetVictor Non-Runner-No-Bet At Cheltenham Seniors' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 4m 51.65s

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Selected odds by:

Dargiannini^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-1| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 131

2/1

Proved better than ever straight back over hurdles to make his second start for the yard a winning one in 9-runner handicap at Uttoxeter (19.9f, soft) 35 days ago, kept up to work. Hiked up 8 lb but is still potentially well-in.

Form: 273P-F1

Jay Bee Why^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 129| D

11/2

Dual hurdle winner who turned in his best effort of the season in first-time cheekpieces when third of 8 in 3m handicap here (firm) 3 weeks ago. Back down in trip and should remain competitive.

Form: 43-3493

Lock's Corner^p,t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 127| D

12/1

Back on track returned to this sphere following a break, going close at Ludlow prior to decisive victories at Catterick and Ayr (both at around 2½m). Creditable fifth of 12 in a deeper race at Huntingdon since. Ought to be competitive again.

Form: 232115

Poseidon^p,t1¹¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 126

40/1

Useful chaser at his best who made a successful return to hurdling in a seller at Taunton in December. However, hasn't fired in 2 handicaps for his new yard subsequently. Up in trip. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Form: P6-P186

Bold Plan^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Isabel Williams⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 126| CD

13/2

Resurgent over hurdles during second half of last term, winning 3 on the bounce at around 2½m, including this corresponding event. Yet to hit top form this season, though. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 11-5U56

Give Me A Moment¹⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 125

11/1

Useful chaser who won 5 times last season and outclassed the opposition in a brace of novice hurdles last summer. Lost his action when pulled up at Worcester on his most recent outing in September, so may bounce back after a break.

Form: 11-211P

Pileon^p²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams| OR: 125

10/1

Down in the weights and returned to form with a conditional aboard when second of 4 in 3m handicap at Doncaster 23 days ago. Cheekpieces back on but isn't sure to be suited by a return to shorter.

Form: 2-08052

Champagne City^p⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Mr Eddie Edge⁽⁷⁾| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 124

22/1

Grabbed a first win on the Flat since his 2-y-o days at Salisbury in August. Mostly creditably efforts in that sphere since and returns to hurdling on a fair mark.

Form: 21424-5

Umndeni^p¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 121

28/1

Won off this mark at Newton Abbot in August 2021 but offered little returning from 15 months off at Wincanton 2 weeks ago. Needs to leave that well behind.

Form: 31320-4

Whatsupwithyou^p,t⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 119

11/2

Snapped a losing run when just holding on in 2½m Uttoxeter handicap in April. Stepped up on his Fontwell return in a first-time tongue strap when fifth of 15 at Kempton (21f) on Boxing Day and should remain competitive.

Form: 422-145

Stimulating Song^t⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: H Cobden| T: M F Harris| OR: 117| DWS

14/1

Dual winner over hurdles but hasn't returned in much form after 2 years off, tailed off early final circuit at Fakenham last time. Can only be watched at present.

Form: 41/7P5P

Forecasts

Dargiannini (2/1), Whatsupwithyou (11/2), Jay Bee Why (11/2), Bold Plan (13/2), Pileon (10/1), Give Me A Moment (11/1), Lock's Corner (12/1), Stimulating Song (14/1), Champagne City (22/1), Umndeni (28/1), Poseidon (40/1)

A handicap restricted to those advancing in years, so DARGIANNINI makes plenty of appeal given that he's a relatively low-mileage 8-y-o who proved better than ever on just his second start for Harry Derham when scoring in tidy fashion at Uttoxeter in January. That race was run in a good time and an 8 lb rise looks manageable. Lock's Corner and Whatsupwithyou head the opposition.