williamhill.com Handicap Hurdle 2011

3.00 Ascot

williamhill.com Handicap Hurdle (Listed) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £28,135

Advice: 1 pt each/way Kumbeshwar (7/1 general), 1 pt each/way Via Galiei (16/1 general) 

Toploski: Impressed as novice last year, getting better of useful field at Sandown with ease and then bolting up under big penalty from subsequent winner at Newton Abbot; Followed that up with Grade 2 win at Aintree (form behind looks strong) and can make a bold bid although mark of 150 is tough.

Nearby: Near top class over hurdles, winning Grade 2 handicap with plenty in hand and then coming back to finish close third in County Hurdle; Not achieved anything close to that form over fences, as he’s yet to win a race; Race fitness might help his cause but others more progressive.

Kumbeshwar: Not run a bad race over hurdles, coming second in two Grade 1 events after hard fought Cheltenham Festival third of lumpy weight; That form makes him well worthy of a mark of 145 and could be hard to push out of the frame.

Third Intention: Showed an abundance of potential and talent last season but always let down by an inability to settle, which cost him late on in races; Seventh in Triumph before impressive novice win in calmer waters at Cheltenham; Big chance here if able to run to form but pulling a massive worry if he’s too fresh on seasonal debut.

Brampour: Didn’t quite live up to his potential last season when disappointing at both festivals, although he’s a bit better off with Third Intention and Topolski; Probably better than both his runs suggest then and 7lbs claim of Harry Derham nothing but a plus, although he still has a bit to prove.

Katies Tuitor: Fit from several 2 mile AW runs at Kempton, having not run over obstacles for 595 days; Win on the flat proves he retains some ablity but this might be too stiff a test.

Drill Sergeant: Decent novice hurdler (two wins last year) and not disgraced on tough tasks, although never looked up to winning major event; Went in again at Ffos Las two starts back but no better efforts since.

 Via Gailei: Looked a hose to follow when running riot at Newbury last term, and held his form admirably in better contests since; Return was a bit of a disappointment considering his form but he’s got a lot of talent and not hard to see him taking a hand.

A Media Luz: Very smart filly on flat in France, winning her first 2 starts before runner up in a Group 3 at Saint Cloud and excellent sixth in the Prix Vermille; Not quite gotten used to jumping yet (mainly because she’s not learned how to settled) but she’d have to be able to go close off this mark if settling this time.

Harry Tricker: Reached peak with Greatwood Hurdle second in 2009/10 season and did respectably when sent over fences last season, winning twice; Unplaced on last jumps run and flat figures don’t look too inspiring either.

Elsafeer: Made it his third win in five starts when getting the better of tight finish at Kempton in Listed novices event; This quite a step up but the form of his stable and rider mean he can’t be ignored safely.

Baracas: Ready winner of competitive novice handicap hurdle but not won in five starts since and this much tougher; Best left alone until mark drops.

Takari: Good traveller but infrequent winner – 3 from 27 under rules, the last coming when he was with Willie Mullns in Ireland – and seems to be too high in the weights.

VERDICT: A race that reads more like a graded handicap. The form of Tim Vaughan and Richard Johnson means Elsafeer must be considered but if KUMBESHWAR can continue his form from last season he’s got a big chance of landing this, so an each/way wager makes sense. Topolski should be there or thereabouts while a race like this is well within the reach of Third Intention or A Media Luz if both settle properly. Via Galiei might be a sensible each/way play with a run under his belt.