THE VISIT racingtv.com HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS

4)

No Horse Age st lb

1 NO NO TANGO (GB) (28)

Ch g Sixties Icon - Until Forever (IRE)

Owner: Don Sebastiao Partnership

Trainer: Charlie Longsdon, Chipping Norton

Breeder: Howard Spooner & Ian Weaver

Sponsor: Willerby Landscapes Limited

6 12 1

Colours: PURPLE, LIGHT GREEN seams, LIGHT GREEN and PURPLE quartered cap.

Form: 6-2552

TIMEFORM VIEW Fair form in 2m maiden/novice hurdles late last year and he improved when runner-up on handicap debut at Huntingdon (19.6f) 4 weeks ago, plenty to do 3 out and noted running on. Still unexposed and he looks sure to go well again. Tongue tie fitted.

Star RatingHHHHH Official BHA Rating 111

2 FERROBIN (IRE) (13)

Br g Robin des Champs (FR) - Fedaia (IRE)

Owner: Mrs D. Prosser

Trainer: Max Young, Droitwich Breeder: Mountainview Stud Ltd Tipperary

9 11 13

Colours: RED, BLACK chevrons and armlets, quartered cap

Form: 100-645 D

TIMEFORM VIEW Landed an amateur jockeys’ handicap at Ludlow on return last winter and best effort since when fourth back at that venue in December Disappointed over 2m here next time but this rates more suitable than his latest assignment on the Flat.

Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 109

3 RUSSIAN RUMOUR (IRE) (52) 6 11 13 B m Make Believe - Russian Rave

Owner: Fillies First

Trainer: Jonathan Portman, Upper Lambourn

Breeder: John O’Connor

Sponsor: Pump Technology Limited

Colours: YELLOW, DARK GREEN braces.

Form: 1545-0

TIMEFORM VIEW Fair stayer on the Flat who made a winning start over hurdles at Lingfield (19.5f) last winter. Not built on that in handful of hurdle outings since but her mark is steadily easing and she arrives fit from spins on the level in December Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 109

4 AHEAD OF THE FIELD (IRE) (85)8 11 12

Ch g Flemensfirth (USA) - Last of The Bunch

Owner: Andy & The Frisky Fillies

Trainer: Emma Lavelle, Marlborough

Breeder: R. McCarthy

Sponsor: Hatherden Horse Transport

Colours: MAROON and GREY stripes, GREY sleeves, MAROON armlets.

Form: 024-PBP

TIMEFORM VIEW Fair hurdle winner in Ireland who struck over fences for present yard at Southwell (20.5f) last December Inconsistent since, failing to complete all 3 starts this term, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out at Wincanton in November. Returns to timber now. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 17/11/2022 it was reported that the horse was never travelling. Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 108

5 HARDY BOY (FR) (46)

Gr g Diamond Boy (FR) - Alize du Berlais (FR)

Owner: Martin & Lynn Jones

Trainer: Ben Pauling, Naunton

Breeder: Mr Andre Jean Quesny

Sponsor: Fitzdares

2M 5F

Jockey

Paul O’Brien

6 11 8

Colours: YELLOW and PURPLE diamonds, PURPLE sleeves, PURPLE and YELLOW quartered cap.

Form: 211-000 D

TIMEFORM VIEW Signed off last term with a brace of handicap wins at around 20f Yet to scale same heights in trio of starts this campaign but the assessor is steadily relinquishing his grip and fitting of cheekpieces may help now. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 26/12/2022 it was reported that the horse was never travelling. Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 104 Kielan Woods

6

JUSTIFIED (GB) (68) 6 11 7

Br g Authorized (IRE) - Caribbean Dancer (USA)

Owner: Mr B Bell, Mr M Harrod & Mr G Sainsbury

Trainer: Neil King, Burderop

Breeder: Mr H. C. Hart

Colours: DARK GREEN, BROWN hollow box, YELLOW sleeves and cap

Form: 413250 D

TIMEFORM VIEW Enjoyed a good spell last summer, opening his hurdles account at Huntingdon (20.6f) in June prior to a pair of solid placed efforts. Not at best returning from 3 months off back at that venue in December though, and he’s been absent again since.

Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 103 Jack Quinlan

7 DEER HUNTER (IRE) (763) 7 11 4

B g Fame And Glory - Subtle Gem (IRE)

Owner: Fawley House Stud

Trainer: Danni O’Neill, North Fawley

Breeder: F. Tobin

Sponsor: Fawley House Stud

Colours: GREEN, CHOCOLATE striped sleeves, CHOCOLATE cap

Form: 05/4430/-

TIMEFORM VIEW Showed ability in this sphere for Harry Whittington during early stages of 2020/21 campaign but he was well held on debut for this yard in an AW bumper when last seen over 2 years ago Star RatingHHIII Official BHA Rating 100 Jonathan Burke

8 SAMI BEAR (GB) (8) 7 11 3

B g Sulamani (IRE) - Dalriath

Owner: Team ABC

Trainer: Chris Gordon, Winchester Breeder: Yorton Farm Stud

Sponsor: Goodwin Racing Ltd

Colours: EMERALD GREEN, DARK BLUE hoops and star on cap

Form: 31-332U

TIMEFORM VIEW Off the mark from 6 lower mark at Plumpton (17.7f) last April and made the frame next 3 starts. Swerved and unseated last when holding every chance at Wincanton (19.8f) 8 days ago and he’s a player provided those antics can be kept in check. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 2/2/2023 it was reported that the horse hung badly left handed late-on.

9

Star RatingHHHHI Official BHA Rating 99 (+3)

BATTLE MARCH (USA) (46) 6 10 13

B g War Front (USA) - Lahinch Classics (IRE)

Owner: Chris Down Racing

Trainer: Chris Down, Cullompton

Breeder: Mrs E. M. Stockwell

Sponsor: Woodwarm Stoves

Colours: LIGHT BLUE, DARK BLUE diamond, BLACK cap, LIGHT BLUE spots.

Form: 4/2661-0

TIMEFORM VIEW Showed improved form to get off the mark in 18.5f Exeter novice in October 2021 but he offered little returning from 15 months off when well held twelfth of 16 in a Wincanton handicap in December This should reveal more.

Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 95

10

OPTIMISTIC BELIEF (IRE) (46) 5 10 8

B g Make Believe - Panglossian (IRE)

Owner: Mr Hugh J. F. Lang

Trainer: Pat Phelan, Epsom

Breeder: Albert Conneally & Make Believe Synd.

Sponsor: Ede’s (UK) Ltd

Colours: DARK BLUE, ORANGE and DARK BLUE halved sleeves, ORANGE cap.

Form: 5P6-26

TIMEFORM VIEW Offered little on Flat last year but perked up by switch back to hurdling when good second in 17-runner Chepstow handicap (19.5f) in October However, he failed to replicate that at Fontwell on Boxing Day.

Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 90

11

WHAT’S MY LINE (GB) (71) 6 10 2

B g Sixties Icon - Leading Star

Owner: Mr M. Madgwick

Trainer: Michael Madgwick, Denmead

Breeder: M. J. Madgwick

Colours: LIGHT BLUE and WHITE stripes, quartered cap

Form: 5-2651P

TIMEFORM VIEW Showed improved form to score readily in refitted cheekpieces at Fontwell (21.7f) in October However, his record is a patchy one and he ran poorly when pulled up at Wincanton (24.7f) on New Year’s Day. Others more appealing. Star RatingHHHII Official BHA Rating 81

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 11

Marc Goldstein

Tongue Strap worn first time by No. 1. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 5. Hood worn by No 9. Tongue Strap worn by No 2. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No 2, 11.

The Result

1st 2nd Distance 3rd 4th Time

2022: ZYON 8 11 12 Page Fuller 7-1 (Adam West) 9 ran

PLAY SMARTER

Betting Forecast:

10-3 Sami Bear (GB), 7-2 No No Tango (GB), 10-1 Hardy Boy (FR), 11-1 Ahead of The Field (IRE), Optimistic Belief (IRE), 12-1 Russian Rumour (IRE), 14-1 Justified (GB), What’s My Line (GB), 20-1 Deer Hunter (IRE), 22-1 Ferrobin (IRE), Battle March (USA)

Race Summary:

NO NO TANGO showed improved form when runner-up on handicap debut at Huntingdon 4 weeks ago, running on having been set plenty to do, and, with further progress anticipated, he earns the vote to confirm the promise of that run now. Sami Bear threw his chance away when swerving and unseating at Wincanton recently but is clearly still on a workable mark if his antics can be kept in check. Hardy Boy is also worth a second look.

1-2-3:

1.NO NO TANGO 2.SAMI BEAR 3.HARDY BOY (FR) FREE form for all British and Irish meetings is available online every day at timeform.com/free