13:49 Warwick

Saturday 13 January 2024

All12:0512:4013:1513:4914:2415:0015:3516:05

Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:49 | Winning time: 6m 21.0s

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Selected odds by:

Third Wind⁶⁶⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 141

18/1

Back to his very best when landing the final of this series at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. Not seen in the 22 months since then so a watching brief is very much the percentage call.

Form: 1P7331/

The Big Breakaway¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 137

16/1

Runner-up in last season's Welsh National at Chepstow but has lost his way over fences since, tailing off a long way out when pulled up in the latest renewal of the Welsh National over Christmas. Reverts to hurdles in a bid to get his career back on track.

Form: 2PF-5PP

Mel Monroe³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 132| BF

5/1

Lightly-raced 6-y-o who has quickly reached quite a useful level over hurdles for her leading stable. Steps up in trip for this handicap debut. Much respected as an unexposed sort.

Form: 24-1224

Gentleman At Arms^p,t⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 129| D

12/1

Useful sort who looked back to something close to his best when landing an 11-runner handicap at Aintree (3m, heavy) in November. Failed to back it up when down the field at Newbury since. Hard to know what mood he'll turn up in.

Form: 84-0510

Martha Brae¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 128| D

15/2

Largely consistent sort who got her head back in front at Kempton (3m, heavy) over Christmas. Did that cosily enough and ought to remain competitive off 5 lb higher.

Form: 212-631

J'Ai Froid^v¹⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: J Kington| T: L Morgan| OR: 125| C

8/1

Useful handicap hurdler at his best who capitalised on a reduced mark when going in at Leicester (2m) in November. Even better form when second of 8 over 3m at Chepstow (heavy) on Welsh National day.

Form: 5-5P812

Kyntara³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 124| C| D

11/8

Point/bumper winner. Failed to win over hurdles/fences for Kim Bailey but different proposition for new trainer Mel Rowley, winning handicap hurdles around 3m at Lingfield and Aintree in recent months. The Aintree form has been franked and a further 6 lb rise may not prevent the hat-trick.

Form: 22/27-11

Shallow River^p¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Bradley Harris⁽⁵⁾| T: Anthony Charlton| OR: 121

13/2

Twelve runs since last win in 2022 but deserves full marks for his consistency, again running well upped in trip when second of 8 in handicap hurdle at Wincanton (25f, soft) 18 days ago. Likely to be in the shake-up yet again.

Form: 422242

Forecasts

Kyntara (11/8), Mel Monroe (5/1), Shallow River (13/2), Martha Brae (15/2), J'Ai Froid (8/1), Gentleman At Arms (12/1), The Big Breakaway (16/1), Third Wind (18/1)

KYNTARA is on a roll for new trainer Mel Rowley and is taken to defy the handicapper again and make it 3-3 for the stable. Low mileage Irish raider Mel Monroe is a potentially dangerous opponent, while Shallow River has had a very consistent spell this season and should also have a part to play.