2.00 Newbury
sportingbet.com Intermediate Hurdle (Listed Handicap) (Registered As The Gerry Feilden Hurdle) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £14,252
Pick: Olofi (win)
Alegralil: Did well last season, for all that her form tailed off rather badly when stepped up in class; Rallied well to win listed event at Wetherby on reappearance and should be fitter for that but stiff mark may bring her down.
The Betchworth Kid: Very smart on the flat, running up to a mark of 104 and made a pleasing hurdles debut when grinding out a Plumpton novice Hurdle; Went on from that and comes to timber on the back of some really good efforts on the level so one to take seriously.
Tocca Ferro: Shaped better than the bare result all starts over hurdles last term; Duly took advantage of favourable mark when winning similar event at Ascot last month, cursing to front before just holding a late challenge; Up 8lbs but will progress again, although this a lot tougher.
Advisor: Was sent off only 8/1 for the Triumph Hurdle off the back of 2 very impressive wins in juvenile hurdles; Disappointed in that test (too tough for him) and on last start (Had been on the go, flat and jumps); Ground will suit and breathing op should help him but this a stiff mark.
Olofi: Took to hurdling last year (won twice,) and came up short of the best as a juvenile but pleasing return to action when only a nose behind Escort’Men first time out and ran well in Greatwood Hurdle last time; That gives him every chance here.
Circeron: Very impressive last spring, were he easily won his first 2 handicaps and was just a good way clear of the rest when he competed the hat-trick at Perth; Unable to cope with bigger handicaps since and hard to fancy given that he’s a bridle horse.
Dr Livingstone: Has run creditably in handicaps the last tice (building a little on quite useful novice form last year); More required if he’s to win this one with bette horses.
Forty Thirty: In frame 4 of 5 completed starts over hurdles this season, but poor run on flat before falling in Tocca Ferro’s ascot race and has a lot to prove.
Praxiteles: Won his third hurdles start in great style at Aintree in May, and didn’t need to run to that level to go in again at Ffos Las; Has more to offer in handicaps surely and not one to discount although this good deal stronger than last time.
Stormy Weather: Stayed on well when fifth behind Sancutaire (form has worked out well at a higher grade) and should be competitive here in that form; This is a tough race for him but he can mark his mark.
Kauto Relko: Shaped well on debut for this yard when third at Aintree last month but not fully cooperative next time out, and this race demands improvement from that.
Rebel Dancer: Won his first run over hurdles for this yard at Huntingdon and was disputing things with Nearby (dramatic improver who’s won twice since) when falling last time; Everything points to big run.
VERDICT: The blowout of the Supreme Novices Hurdle second Get Me Out Of Here ensured Tocca Ferro didn’t have an awful lot to beat at Ascot and a long straight won’t help him here either. OLOFI has run crackers on both starts this season and should take a big hand, while The Betchworh Kid is given serious respect, along with Stormy Weather. Rebel Dancer is the most feared outside the top 4.
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