Fontwell 3.40-

 

A Class 5 handicap hurdle over 2 miles and 3 furlongs with 11 runners on Good to Soft ground. I doubt it will dry too much with plenty of moisture in the air from early Fog. I'm not overly enamoured by the top 3 in the market, What's One More and Soigneaux Bell are upped in trip and Our Dylan may be best on a traditional right handed track. At big prices I have added Storming Nelson to my TRACKER, yet to deliver in handicaps but off a declining mark the eye catching early Novice win this one had as a younger horse probably meant it was lumbered early with too high a mark and mid 90's now it could suddenly find a perfect level. One to Follow!

 

Activist is 10 lbs above its last winning mark as was my 3rd best rated but my clear top 2 rated are DECORATED who has a second run back over Hurdles after Chasing and whose handicap hurdle mark really is eye-catching off 98 on previous Hurdle form. COPPER COVE can't be left out either a Course winner who has had 2 runs so should be straight enough now fitness wise and a return here on favoured ground off a decent mark suggests a place run or a win is a decent probability   (The Advisor)

 

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Wincanton 4.50-

 

Handicap Hurdle Class 4 over an extended 3 miles on Good to Soft Going with a few rain showers possible late on. Drash On Ruby (up in trip), Jongleur D'Étoiles (inflated mark); Jolie Bale (in form but has sneaked over the 100 mark so may be vulnerable) and Howaya Now (could be very well handicapped IF wind op at Christmas works but not seen since) head the market and are all dangers but with clear vulnerabilities.

 

I really like the chances therefore of JACK SPRAT who won nicely on penultimate run, may have had the last run too quickly after the win and gets ideal ground here and should be capable of taking this off a mark of 108 with a good 7lbs Claimer booked and suggesting they are here to win. If there is a really dark horse in here worth some each way shrapnel at a big price it's WHYDAH GALLY, reverts to Hurdles from fences, has been running well enough but clouting one or two too many, eased in Class and despite top weight is very well handicapped on old hurdles form and if he can get in to a rhythm and enjoy himself he could really rout some of these in terms or raw ability. (Robin T)

 

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Thurles 5.00-

 

A 10 runner Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles and 6 furlongs on Yielding ground and whilst 2/1 i skinny on this occasion it may be some value IF you want a win saver on RUSHMOUNT.

 

Of the remainder, Crossing the Bar is solid and in form but gets clobbered 12lbs up to UK mark for a win last time on the mainland, but for that he would have been an each way tip. The best each way value against the favourite may be SEQUOIASPIRIT who is on a decent handicap mark, proven form but i suspect considerably better on this drying ground than winter mud. (MG)

 

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