3.15pm The Claire Hitch 50TH Birthday Handicap Chase

Sixth Race 3.15

The Claire Hitch 50Th Birthday Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 5)

for four yrs old and upwards x Total race value £9900 Owners Prize Money. 1st £3547, 2nd £1774, 3rd £887, 4th £444, 5th £280, 6th £280, 7th £280, 8th £280. (Penalty Value £4629.10) 2 Eliminated Under Rules (I)9 and (I)10.

3m 2f 57y

Race Description

This is a three miles and two and a half furlongs handicap steeple chase for four-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 0 to 100. Once a horse has qualified for a handicap rating this is regularly reassessed. A below par effort could result in a reduced rating whilst a strong performance could see the rating increased. Occasionally, horses are entered to race before their handicap rating has been reviewed and so to avoid recent winners being un-penalised they are allotted a mandatory penalty – usually 7lb

Br Breeding O Owner B Breeder J Jockey T Trainer S Sponsor

colours no horse

1 DOYEN LA LUTTE (IRE) (9) 0204-6P

Br B m Doyen (IRE) - Castletown Girl O The Contractors

age 6

st-lb 12-0

Fergus Gillard (3) J David Pipe, Wellington T B Sunnyhill Stud W & S Recycling S TIMEFORMVIEW Winning pointer who made the frame on several occasions over timber last term. Disappointing start over fences this time around, though. TFRHHIII BHA100 (-5) 2 MINELLA VOUCHER (GB) (86) 241114 D BF

Br B g King’s Theatre (IRE) - All Rise (GER)

11 11-11

Toby Wynne (5) J

O Taunton Town Peacocks

Alexandra Dunn, Wellington T B Elms Stud Co. Ltd & J. O’Connor Alexandra Dunn Racing Ltd S TIMEFORMVIEW Veteran who completed a hat-trick in September and is probably best excused his latest sub-par effort at Sedgefield. Given a break since and could make his presence felt. TFRHHHII BHA97 3 HAVANELLA (FR) (60) 10654-0

Br B m Saddler Maker (IRE) - Kavalle (FR) O The 4 Musketeers

5 11-5

Jonathan Burke J Oliver Sherwood, Upper Lambourn T B Mr Andre Jean Quesny Rewards 4 Racing Ltd S TIMEFORMVIEWWon 3-runner race on completed start in Irish points but yet to show much under Rules,including on handicap/chasing debut at Hereford a couple of months ago. Upped markedly in trip. TFRHHIII BHA91 4 PUPPET WARRIOR (GB) (58) 63353/-6

Br Ch g Black Sam Bellamy (IRE) - Rakajack O Ms G. Howell

10 10-13

Tabitha Worsley (3) J Georgie Howell, Tenbury Wells T B Shade Oak Stud DRILL SERVICE (HORLEY) LTD, Nds Equine Nutrition S TIMEFORMVIEW Some decent bits and pieces of form to his name but record stands at 0-23 overall and he was well held at Chepstow last month. TFRHHIII BHA85

5 KINGSMILL GIN (GB) (29) 1455-3U CD BF

Br B m Fair Mix (IRE) - Kingsmill Lake O Miss J. du Plessis

9 10-12

James Best J Jackie du Plessis, Saltash T

B Miss J. du Plessis TIMEFORMVIEW Potentially well handicapped and was in the process of running creditably when unseating her rider at Wincanton a month ago.Won this last season and deserves respect. TFRHHHHI BHA84 6 LEADING KNIGHT (IRE) (60) 5/243-65

Br B g Leading Light (IRE) - Miss McGoldrick (IRE) O Mr Ryan G. Chapman

6 10-9

Beau Morgan (7) J Ryan Chapman, St Mawgan T

B Mr John Connolly TIMEFORMVIEW Placed in handicap hurdles for Ben Pauling last summer and proved that he retains ability when fifth at Hereford on second start for this stable a couple of months ago. Might need this initial experience over fences. TFRHHIII BHA81 7 ADVANTURA (IRE) (36) 045P2-F

Br B g Watar (IRE) - Keys Hope (IRE) O Mr Tony Staple

5 10-7

Tom O’Brien J Philip Hobbs, Minehead T B Michael Martin Philip Hobbs Racing S TIMEFORMVIEW Poor form over hurdles and fell on chase debut in a handicap at Lingfield, so arrives with a bit to prove. TFRHHHII BHA79

8 YAAZAAIN (GB) (22) 022034

Br B g Iffraaj - Tamazirte (IRE) O Mead Vale, Sam Quigley & Gerry Flanagan

6 10-7

David Noonan J Nigel Hawke, Tiverton T B Ecurie La Vallee Martigny/Ecurie du Loup Junction 24 Ltd S TIMEFORMVIEWPoor maiden hurdler who didn’t have much chance at the weights when fourth in a seller at this course last time.Back over fences now, but others make more appeal. TFRHHIII BHA79

26

Jamie Moore J Alexandra Dunn, Wellington T B Natton House Thoroughbreds Tote, Alexandra Dunn Racing Ltd S TIMEFORMVIEW Little sign of encouragement over hurdles last season and likely best watched now switched to fences after 9 months off. TFRHIIII BHA74

10 BOTUS FLEMING (GB) (22) 0/P6/64-0

Br Ch g Tiger Groom - Chelsea Express O Miss J. du Plessis B Miss J. M. du Plessis

7 10-2

Ben Ffrench Davis (7) J Jackie du Plessis, Saltash T

TIMEFORMVIEW Appears to be of little account and looks set for another struggle. TFRHIIII BHA71

11 DYSANIA (IRE) (408) 000P0/0-

Br B g Califet (FR) - She’s Supersonic (IRE) O Ms G. E. Morgan

7 10-2

Sean Bowen J Peter Bowen, Haverfordwest T B E. Campell & D. Flood Tote S TIMEFORMVIEW Little show over hurdles/in handicap chase for Kayley Woollacott/Charlie Longsdon. Starts out for another new yard after 13 months off. TFRHHIII BHA71 12 LUCKELLO (GB) (222) 0506-11

Br B m Yorgunnabelucky (USA) - Timarello (IRE) O The Davies’ Racing Team

6 10-2

Alan Johns J Tim Vaughan, Cowbridge T B R. Rainbow & Sons Dragonbet S TIMEFORMVIEW Limited hurdler for Olly Murphy but has won both starts in points since last seen under Rules and looks well worthy of interest off a basement mark for a new yard now chasing. TFRHHHHH BHA70

DECLARED RUNNERS 12 2021: KINGSMILL GIN 8 11 0 James Best 16-1 (Jackie du Plessis) 11 ran

Tongue Strap worn first time by No. 9. Blinkers worn by No. 1, 7. Tongue Strap worn by No. 2, 10. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2, 4. Running for the first time since Wind Surgery No. 6. Stewards Note: KAYF BAHA: Following its run on 11/3/2022 it was reported that the horse lost its left hind shoe. Probable S.P’s: 11-4 Luckello (GB), 7-2 Kingsmill Gin (GB), 9-2 Minella Voucher (GB), 12-1 Advantura (IRE), 20-1 Doyen La Lutte (IRE), Yaazaain (GB), 22-1 Havanella (FR), 25-1 Leading Knight (IRE), 33-1 Dysania (IRE), 40-1 Puppet Warrior (GB), 50-1 Kayf Baha (GB), 66-1 Botus Fleming (GB)

PLAY SMARTER

This is a weak affair and there’s a good case to be made for LUCKELLO who, although disappointing over hurdles, has won between the flags twice since last seen under Rules and could be well treated now chasing. Last year’s winner Kingsmill Gin is a danger and there’s every chance Minella Voucher will bounce back to form.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.LUCKELLO 2.KINGSMILL GIN 3.MINELLA VOUCHER

The Result

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Distance Time

John Heathcock

We would like to wish Doctor John Heathcock a very happy retirement and to thank him for his dedication to racing for over 40 years.