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RACE 1 1.45pm The West Berkshire Mencap Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 4
THE WEST BERKSHIRE MENCAP CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’ HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4)
for four yrs old and upwards Total race value £7000 (For conditions of this race see page 47)
TWO MILES ABOUT FOUR AND A HALF FURLONGS (2m 4f 118yds)
RACE FACTS: Leading course trainer (17-22): P Nicholls (38 wins from 157 runners, 24%) runs SHEARER Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): P Nicholls (7 wins from 36 runners, 19%) runs SHEARER Longest Traveller: KURAKA trained by J Scott, Dulverton, 122 miles.
BREEDING J JOCKEY OWNER TRAINER FORM Br BREEDER S SPONSOR
HEADGEAR KEY: H HOOD B BLINKERS V VISOR E EYESHIELD T TONGUE STRAP CP SHEEPSKIN CHEEKPIECES
COLOURS NO HORSE/DAYS SINCE LAST RUN AGE ST LB BHA RATING
1 SHEARER (IRE) (40)
6 11 12 BHA120
B g Flemensfirth (USA) - The Crown Jewel (IRE) (Stowaway) McNeill Family Paul Nicholls, Ditcheat
J Lorcan Williams (3)
210-232 BF Br Mrs E. M. Motherway S Ultima Business Solutions CP TIMEFORM VIEW Bumper winner who has finished in the money on each of his 3 hurdles starts, most recently hitting the crossbar on handicap bow at Lingfield (19.5f). Cheekpieces added and likely to be in the mix. TFRHHHHI 2 NEON MOON (IRE) (18) 6 11 11 BHA119 B g No Risk At All (FR) - Hidden Horizons (IRE) (Winged Love (IRE)) J Fergus Gillard (3) Brocade Racing David Pipe, Wellington 461-001 D Br Mr C. McDonnell S W & S Recycling B T TIMEFORM VIEW Wincanton maiden winner last March and firmly back on track in this headgear combination when landing a 20.5f Plumpton handicap 18 days ago. More needed up 7lb, but merits respect all the same. TFRHHHII
3 PETIT PALAIS (GB) (516)
7 11 9 BHA117
Ch g Champs Elysees - Galicuix (Galileo (IRE)) Mr Richard Hobson
J Lilly Pinchin (3)
Richard Hobson, Little Rissington 46P/341Br Pantile Stud T TIMEFORM VIEW Snapped a losing run on debut for new connections at Lyon Parilly (18.9f) in October 2020, but subsequent absence is an obvious concern. Tongue strap applied. TFRHHIII
4 TOP OF THE BILL (IRE) (83)
6 11 5 BHA113
B g Fame And Glory - Glory Days (GER) (Tiger Hill (IRE))
J Jordan Nailor (3)
Mr Charles C. Walker
Nigel Twiston-Davies, Cheltenham 3223-44 BF Br Miss Jackie O’Flynn S P3P Partners LLP TIMEFORM VIEW Fairly useful form in bumpers, placed all 4 starts in that sphere last term. Has failed to threaten in a couple of novice events since switched to hurdles, but may do better now handicapping. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 11/12/2021 it was reported that the horse hung left handed late-on. TFRHHHII 5 ELHAM VALLEY (FR) (20) 5 11 4 BHA112 Gr g Tin Horse (IRE) - Dame du Floc (IRE) (Peintre Celebre (USA)) J Peter Kavanagh (3) Caveat Emptor Partnership Fergal O’Brien, Cheltenham 33-0063 Br Mme Sarah Lhermite S bresbet ltd T TIMEFORM VIEW Hasn’t fired on all cylinders so far this season, and the cheekpieces he sported when third at Warwick (2m) recently are dispensed with here. Still, he’s dangerous to discount off this reduced mark. TFRHHHHH
6 KURAKA (GB) (44)
8 11 3 BHA111
B g Cacique (IRE) - Puzzling (Peintre Celebre (USA)) Susan Frost Jeremy Scott, Dulverton
J David Prichard
53-3534
7 THE KNOT IS TIED (IRE) (62) 7 10 13 BHA107 B g Casamento (IRE) - Really Polish (USA) (Polish Numbers (USA)) J Jack Andrews Ken Lawrence & Roy Mousley Neil King, Burderop 6134P4 C Br Ringfort Stud S Tote T CP TIMEFORM VIEW Dotted up over 2 1/2m at Fakenham in October, but has completely misfired there the last twice and hopes now pinned on cheekpieces (on for all 4 of his Flat wins) helping to turn the tide. TFRHHIII 8 STRATTON OAKMONT (IRE) (45) 6 10 12 BHA106
B g Ask - Foxwood Girl (IRE) (Anshan) Kayley Woollacott Racing Club
J Thomas Doggrell (3)
Kayley Woollacott, Crewkerne 30-U034
Br Mrs Margaret McGauran S The Fire House TIMEFORM VIEW Showed ability in bumpers and stepped up on initial hurdles efforts when third at Bangor in December. Not disgraced on subsequent handicap bow at Exeter (18.5f) and this stiffer test should help. STEWARDS NOTE: Following its run on 18/1/2022 it was reported that the horse suffered interference in running. TFRHHHII
9 STRINGTOYOURBOW (IRE) (19) 5 10 1
BHA95
Ch g Getaway (GER) - Mimi And Bow (Alflora (IRE)) Gillman Int Plywood Williams S-Daniel Christian Williams, Bridgend
J Jack Tudor (3)
3060
Br Mr & Mrs R. & N. Furlong S NAF TIMEFORM VIEW Little impact in a trio of starts under Rules so far and while it’s possible that he’ll be seen in a better light now pitched into a handicap, a big step forward is certainly needed. TFRHIIII
NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 9 (EXACTA) Tongue Strap worn first time by No. 3. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 1. Tongue Strap worn by No. 5, 7. Blinkers, Tongue Strap worn by No. 2. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 7. 2021: OUR DOT’S BABY (IRE) 9 10 10 Page Fuller 11-1 (Andy Irvine) 13 ran
F
Betting Forecast: 3-1 Shearer (IRE), 7-2 Neon Moon (IRE), 11-2 Top of The Bill (IRE), 7-1 Elham Valley (FR), 17-2 Stratton Oakmont (IRE), 12-1 Kuraka (GB), 16-1 The Knot Is Tied (IRE), 28-1 Petit Palais (GB), 50-1 Stringtoyourbow (IRE) Race Summary: A chance is taken on ELHAM VALLEY, who appears to be working his way back to form judged on his recent Warwick effort. This step up in trip could be a good move and he’s now 12lb lower than when third in last season’s Fred Winter. Shearer heads a rather long list of dangers, which also includes handicap-debutant Top of The Bill, recent Plumpton winner Neon Moon and Stratton Oakmont.
1-2-3: 1.ELHAM VALLEY (FR) 2.SHEARER (IRE) 3.TOP OF THE BILL (IRE)
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