Sixth Race 4.30

The Free Racing On Monday 13th March

Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 5) (Div I)

for four yrs old and upwards x Total prize fund £8000 Owners Prize Money. 1st £3231, 2nd £1615, 3rd £808, 4th £404, 5th £202. (Penalty Value £4224.80)

Race Description

This is a two miles and three furlongs handicap hurdle race for four-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 0 to 105. 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.

no horse

1 PLEASANT MAN (GB) (6) P-632

Br B g Galileo (IRE) - Melito (AUS)

O McNeill Family & Patrick&Scott Bryceland

B Northern Farm

Useful stayer on Flat who was picked up from Roger Charlton for 175,000 gns.Yet to live up to that price tag but his recent near miss on 18.5f Exeter handicap hurdle debut shows he can be very competitive from his mark. TFR

TIMEFORMVIEW

2 JUST LOOSE CHANGE (GB) (111) 063-61

Br Gr g Yorgunnabelucky (USA) - Ovilia (IRE)

O Bradley Partnership

B Mickley Stud, D McCain & D & F Lockwood

TIMEFORMVIEW Signs of abilty before making a big step up to defy odds of 28/1 on handicap debut at Worcester in October readily going clear of 2 next-time-out winners. 9lb rise is unlikely to prevent a bold bid if ready to roll after a break. TFRHHHHI BHA102

3 BLUE BIKINI (GB) (279) 23/516-0

7 11-9

Br B m Winged Love (IRE) - Bleu d’Avril (FR) Connor Brace J

O Nick Brown Racing Fergal O’Brien, Cheltenham T

B Louise Kemble

TIMEFORMVIEWWon maiden on second start for this yard at Plumpton in November 2021 but very lightly raced since.Well beaten on handicap debut at Newton Abbot back in May. Still early days but perhaps best watched unless the betting hints otherwise. TFRHHIII BHA100

4 CELTIC FORTUNE (IRE) (42) 4-50B0 6

Br B g Soldier of Fortune (IRE) - Rhinestone Cowgirl (IRE)

O Mr Donald Bell

B Joe Campbell Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEW Some promise in a bumper on sole start last term and posted his best effort to date over hurdles when ninth in a 15-runner Chepstow novice (2m) last time. One to note in the betting now handicapping.

5 BARROWMOUNT (IRE) (37) 3-FP00P

Br B g Mountain High (IRE) - Nans Mare (IRE)

O Mr G. R. Barnett

B Miss Valerie Crean We Do Vans S

TIMEFORMVIEW Maiden winner in 2021 but all downhill in handicaps back from a lengthy absence.

6 PRINCE NINO (FR) (12) 0/-P00

TFRHIIII BHA94

6 11-1

Br Ch g It’s Gino (GER) - Down On My Knees (FR) Paul O’Brien J

O Midwicket Cowboys Harry Derham, Upper Lambourn T

B Marie Lapios Baudry & Sophie Lapios

All Sport Insurance Services Ltd S

TIMEFORMVIEWWell held in Kempton bumper on only outing for Paul Nicholls almost 2 years ago.No impact in maiden/novice hurdles for new stable in recent months but he might do better in handicaps. One to note in the betting.

7 CLAY (GB) (11) 0663

TFRHHHII BHA92

5 11-0

Br B g Sixties Icon - Tamso (USA) Jack Quinlan J

O Davies,Govier,Govier,O’Callaghan&Brown

Neil King, Burderop T

B The Rt Hon Lord Rothschild Bigmore Associates Ltd. S

TIMEFORM VIEW Fairly useful maiden on Flat for Richard Hannon. Improved effort over hurdles when third of 17 on 2m Doncaster handicap debut 11 days ago. Likely capable of better again and should have a big say.

8 KARAKORAM (GB) (6) 324135 CD

Br B g Excelebration (IRE) - Portrait

O Grace Harris Racing

B Mr S. P. Hussain

TFRHHHHH BHA91

8 10-13

Joe Anderson (7) J

Grace Harris, Shirenewton T

Grace Harris Racing S

TIMEFORMVIEW Consistent former C&D winner who scored at Exeter in December

TFRHHHHI BHA90

Another sound effort when close fifth of 13 back at Exeter last week Likely to give his running again.

9 TANGO ARUMBA (IRE) (29) 1-1560

6 10-12

Br B m Shantou (USA) - Thricha (IRE) David Noonan J

O Mrs Jane Gerard-Pearse David Pipe, Wellington T

B Mary M. Brennan W & S Recycling S

TIMEFORMVIEWIrish point winner who made all on bumper debut at NewtonAbbot in June Well held in maiden/novice hurdles since but appeals as one who could have more to offer now switching his attentions to handicaps.Tongue tied first time.

10 MR SNOW WAY (IRE) (29) 46-00P

6 10-9

Br B g Snow Sky - Suny House Rex Dingle J

O G. P. and Miss S. J. Hayes Jeremy Scott, Dulverton T

B Paul Rothwell Brendon Powerwashers S

TIMEFORMVIEW Half-brother to very smart hurdler/winning chaser Summerville Boy but just minor promise in bumpers and maiden/ novice hurdles. Has cheekpieces added now switching to handicap company.

11 BORN IN BORRIS (IRE) (97) 0000-00

9 10-8

Br B m Arcadio (GER) - Honour Own (IRE) Brendan Powell J

O Mr R. M. Harvey-Bailey Joe Tizzard, Sherborne

B Morgan Kavanagh Coral Racing Limited

TIMEFORMVIEW Fourteen runs since last win in 2020. Ninth of 10 in handicap hurdle at Chepstow (23.5f, good to soft, 11/1) when last seen in November A subsequent wind op needs to have had a positive effect. TFRHHIII BHA85

12 INSTANT GAMBLER (IRE) (29) 6FU-00P

7 10-2

Br B g Getaway (GER) - Ostarakov (GER) Jamie Moore J

O Lycett & WBB Alexandra Dunn, Wellington T

B Liam Gavin Alexandra Dunn Racing Ltd S

TIMEFORMVIEWHas shown little in maiden/novice hurdles.Handicaps provide him with a more realistic chance but can still only watch. Wears a hood for the first time. TFRHIIII BHA73

DECLARED RUNNERS 12

2022: IBERIO (GER) 5 11 2 Micheal Nolan 9-2 (Philip Hobbs) 17 ran Hood worn first time by No. 12. Tongue Strap worn first time by No. 9. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 10. Tongue Strap worn by No. 6, 8. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 1, 6, 8. Running for the first time since Wind Surgery No. 11. Stewards Note: BARROWMOUNT: Following its run on 1/1/2023 it was reported that the horse jumped and hung left handed.

Probable S.P’s: 11-4 Pleasant Man (GB), 7-2 Just Loose Change (GB), 5-1 Clay (GB), 12-1 Karakoram (GB), Tango Arumba (IRE), 18-1 Blue Bikini (GB), 20-1 Prince Nino (FR), 22-1 Celtic Fortune (IRE), Born In Borris (IRE), 33-1 Mr Snow Way (IRE), 66-1 Barrowmount (IRE), Instant Gambler (IRE)

This looks a competitive race for the level. CLAY shaped well on his recent Doncaster handicap debut and is well worth a chance to confirm that promise but there are plenty of possible dangers, headed by Just Loose Change who had next-time-out winners behind in second and third when making a successful handicap debut at Worcester in the autumn. Pleasant Man went very close off this mark at Exeter last week and should also be bang there if coping with 2 outings in quick succcession.