Totesport Trophy Hurdle 2011 (Rearranged)

3.35 Newbury
totesport Trophy Hurdle (Grade 3 Handicap) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £68,412

Picks: Walkon and Soldatino (each/way)

Solix: French import who was highly rated in France where he won a Grade Three over two and a half miles at Auteuil, before finishing fourth behind Bel La Vie in Grade 1 at same track; Clearly very good horse and while he’ll have to be Champion Hurdle class to win this off 152, clearly very useful and excellent 5lbs claimer David Bass every help.

Sadlen Licht: Showed plenty of promise in novice season last year, disappointing slightly in the Dovecote but running well behind Captain Chris on his next start; Did well on flat in Summer and extremely impressive when landing competitive Exeter handicap hurdle on first jumps start this year (form worked out very well); Well worth 10lbs rise and massive player.

Get Me Out Of Here: Impressed when landing valuable Totesport Trophy at Newbury despite bungling the last and was unlucky to lose the Supreme Novices Hurdle, getting checked at a crucial stage; Has proven extremely disappointing this year in 2 big handicap hurdles; Has been suffering a back problem but with that apparently treated and fixed, he must have a massive chance if back to best.

Nearby: Has made huge strides in handicap hurdles this season, round off an impressive hat-trick with excellent win in the Elite Hurdle, coming clear of some useful types; Disappointing in Fighting Fifth Hurdle last time but still only 5lbs higher than for Elite Hurdle win, has a 7lbs claimer on board, and would be a lot shorter than 50’s had he not run in the Fighting Fifth.

Walkon: Was one of top juvenile hurdlers before injury struck two years ago, winning 4 times in 6 starts, including a 13 lengths romp in the Anniversary Hurdle at Aintree after Triumph Hurdle second; Ran a creamer after 660 days off when beating all but Tiger O’Toole in the Holloway’s Hurdle and massive chance if avoiding the bounce factor.

Soldatino: Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles and won the Adoins and then Triumph Hurdle on his first two starts for Henderson yard; Threw away his race before it had started in the Holloway’s Hurdle by careering away to start, and then pulling for three quarters of the race itself; Travelled like the best horse in the race until being hampered badly 2 out (not preserved with afterwards); Should do much better over 2 miles with that under his belt, and even better if he can settle.

Eradicate: Showed decent level of form to beat Overturn in the Swinton Hurdle in May from an 11lb lower mark and ran best race since when fourth in good Cheltenham Handicap last month; Right type for this race but this looks too hot.

Notus De La Tour: Made a good start to racing in Britain, bolting up at Plumpton in small race (beat useful sort into second) before being slammed in the Fred Winter by Sanctuaire (disappointing at Aintree); Shaped with encouragement at Ascot but this a hotter race and has a stiff mark.


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 was staying on powerfully here on his seasonal debut, shaping with promise; Jumped very poorly when well beaten in the Lanzarote and has it all to do.


Bothy: Won three form four last year (all on soft) and that possibly turned against them when beaten into seventh behind Sancutaire in Fred Winter; Ran an immense race on comeback when making Menorah pull out all the stops and has a big chance if producing same run here, although mark 9lbs higher won’t actually help.

Palomar: Has really got his act together since joining current yard, winning a big handicap hurdle at Market Rasen in the summer last year; Has place prospects at least based on that run, with rearranged .

Zanir: Was going best of all turning for home in the Country Hurdle before flattering to deceive in the Country Hurdle at Cheltenham; Ran a good race when fourth on seasonal reappearance in decent handicap but others preferred.

Recession Proof: A winner of two of his three starts over hurdles and was kept on the go when winning a Jumpers Bumper in December; Would arguably be very interesting based on the subsequent exploits of Dunraven Storm and Organisetur and he’s one of the least exposed.


Sweet My Lord: Fell early when just 4-1 second favourite for a Grade One at Punchestown in April (shows how highly he’s rated); Seemed a much improved horse for new tactics last time but this harder, even though stable are in flying form and rider has proven her worth by winning several good races.

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 and ran a cracker behind Tocca Ferro last time; Only 2lbs higher and given serious respect.

VERDICT: The value has gone from the prices of WALKON and SOLDATINO but I believe that both hold exceptional chances and the extra break will only help Walkon avoid the bounce factor, while the withdrawal of several major contenders only strengths Soldatino’s chances at the weights. The most feared contender is Nearby off a very good mark at a stupid price, while Salden Licht and Solix are given chances.