15:30 Newton Abbot

Wednesday 30 October 2024

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:30

Celebrating David Freeman's 35 Years Service Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 36.71s

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Selected odds by:

Flight Deck^v1¹³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Chris Ward⁽³⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 132

8/1

Smart on his day for Jonjo O'Neill and he took his form up a notch for his current yard when an excellent third in Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last season. Disappointing next 3 outings but took a step back in the right direction when fifth at Worcester (23f) in June. Visor on for 1st time.

Form: 3370-05

Shallow River^p¹⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 127

7/2

Gained reward for a string of good efforts in handicap hurdles when staying on to lead close home at Exeter (23.1f) in February and far from disgraced in deeper contest at Cheltenham when last seen in April. Starts out for yard making hay lately with recruits from same source and must be respected.

Form: 242317-

Canty Bay²⁰²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 122

17/2

Landed a maiden (19f) at this course on return in November and suited by increase in trip when resuming winning ways at Ludlow (21.2f) in February. Underperformed at Uttoxeter but wasted no time getting back to form when second in 7-runner handicap at Taunton (23.9f) on final outing. Considered.

Form: 1F3172-

Astronomic View^p²¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 121

17/2

Exeter bumper winner who confirmed previous promise over hurdles when recording a wide-margin success in 6-runner handicap at Warwick (26f, heavy) in March, albeit in a race that fell apart. Found it tougher in a deeper contest away from bottomless ground at Haydock on final outing.

Form: 222314-

Itseemslikeit^t1³¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe| OR: 120WS

14/1

Shaped like a stayer in a Chepstow bumper in October and was sensibly ridden when landing a Ffos Las maiden (20f, heavy) on hurdles debut. Well held under a penalty in a deeper race at Newbury when last seen and now tackles handicap company for the first time. Tongue tied/had breathing op.

Form: 3/417-

El Granjero²⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks| OR: 120| D

7/1

Successful on sole outing in points and made the most of a good opportunity when landing 12-runner maiden hurdle at Hereford (19.7f) in March. Followed up on handicap debut back there on final outing but 6 lb higher mark demands further improvement on this return to action.

Form: 422211-

Catch Him Derry¹⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 117

9/4

Progressive sort who made it 2 wins from 3 starts in handicaps in 16-runner event at Ayr (24.3f, soft) 6 months ago. Did it readily and can go on improving this season.

Form: 633121-

Golden Whisky⁵⁹⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Miss Eleanor Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 115

125/1

Hurdle and multiple chase winner but had lost his way badly over fences when last seen. A watching brief has to be the percentage call back hurdling after 19 months off.

Form: 4362PP/

Bertie Wooster¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 114

12/1

Gained reward for consistency when opening his account in 10-runner handicap hurdle at Taunton (19f, good, 8/1) 6 months ago. More needed reappearing from a 5 lb higher mark, though.

Form: 323421-

Forecasts

Catch Him Derry (9/4), Shallow River (7/2), El Granjero (7/1), Flight Deck (8/1), Astronomic View (17/2), Canty Bay (17/2), Bertie Wooster (12/1), Itseemslikeit (14/1), Golden Whisky (125/1)

The one who stands out is CATCH HIM DERRY, who made it 2 wins from 3 starts in handicaps in ready fashion at Ayr 6 months ago and looks sure to go on improving this season. Shallow River sets out for a yard making hay with recruits from the same source so has to feared, along with Canty Bay, who resumed his progress with a good second at Taunton in April.