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4TH RACE
THE VICKERS.BET HANDICAP STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 3)
for four yrs old and upwards x Total race value £16400
Owners Prize Money. Winner £6260; Second £3131; Third £1565; Fourth £783; Fifth £280; Sixth £280; Seventh £280. (Penalty Value £8169) Weights raised 1lb and paragraph 34 of the Weights and Handicapping Code complied with where applicable.
FORM ANALYSIS - A CLOSER LOOK
| FACTS | FANCIES | FORM | STATS |
Leading course trainer (17-22): M Hammond (25 wins from 282 runners, 9%) runs GRANGE RANGER Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): P Hobbs (4 wins from 23 runners, 17%) runs KALOOKI Weightwatcher: KALOOKI won off a handicap mark of 140, his rating is now down 6lb to 134. Longest Traveller: KALOOKI trained by P Hobbs, Minehead, 248 miles.
RACE DESCRIPTION This is a three miles and half a furlong handicap steeple chase for four-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 0 to 135. This race is additionally open to horses rated 136 and 137. 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.
colours no horse
form 1 KALOOKI (GER) (24) 15P6P-P C D
Gr g Martaline - Karuma (GER) Owner: Mr Andrew L. Cohen Breeder: Gestut Kussaburg age st-lb
8 12-0
Jockey: Micheal Nolan Trainer: Philip Hobbs, Minehead Sponsor: Wood Hall Stud
TIMEFORM VIEW Resumed winning ways in a 3m Doncaster handicap over Christmas but has subsequently lost his way and now has a fair bit to prove. Star RatingHHIII BHA 134 2 CHIRICO VALLIS (FR) (245) 2/5133P- D
10 11-12
B g Poliglote - Quora Vallis (FR) Owner: Mr John P. McManus Breeder: Mr Andre Noel Dutertre Jockey: Robert Dunne Trainer: Neil Mulholland, Limpley Stoke
TIMEFORM VIEW Landed a good pot at Chepstow last October before finishing third in the Classic Chase at Warwick and a Doncaster veterans’ handicap. Pulled up with first-time cheekpieces enlisted (retained here) in the Scottish National on final start of last season but this is easier and he goes well fresh. Star RatingHHHHH BHA 132 3 INDY FIVE (IRE) (20) 21P-204 D
12 11-11
B g Vertical Speed (FR) - Beesplease (IRE) Jockey: Mr Jack Andrews (3) Owner: The Dobbin Club Trainer: David Dennis, Banbury Breeder: Robert & Miss Melanie Downes Sponsor: DD Racing Ltd
TIMEFORM VIEW Dual winner last season, namely handicaps over 3m+ at Doncaster and Newbury. Showed the benefit of his reappearance run when fourth in a Grade 3 handicap at Cheltenham 20 days ago and he’s high on the shortlist off 1lb lower here. Star RatingHHHHI BHA 131 4 BURROWS DIAMOND (FR) (34) 41125-6
7 11-7
B m Diamond Boy (FR) - La Vie de Boitron (FR) Jockey: Sean Quinlan Owner: Mrs C.Casterton & Mrs J.Morgan Trainer: Sue Smith, Bingley Breeder: Mme Julie Morgan Sponsor: Pektron Group Ltd
TIMEFORM VIEW Off the mark over fences at Newcastle in January and followed up 3 weeks later at Uttoxeter. However, well held on final start of last season and he didn’t show much on his reappearance this time round at Carlisle, even allowing for the fact that he faced a stiff task at the weights there. Star RatingHHHII BHA 127 5 THE VOLLAN (IRE) (21) 125100 D
8 11-4
B g Scorpion (IRE) - Print It On Lips (IRE) Jockey: Patrick Cowley (3) Owner: Mrs Elaine Holmes Trainer: L J Morgan, Waltham On The Wolds Breeder: Sharon Duggan
TIMEFORM VIEW In fine fettle back over fences this year, registering fourth victory of 2022 when landing a 4-runner Kelso handicap in October. Appears to have gone off the boil judged on his last 2 starts, though, and it’s probably best to look elsewhere. Star RatingHHIII BHA 124 6 SHANTY ALLEY (GB) (265) 123/UPP- D
8 11-0
B g Shantou (USA) - Alexander Road (IRE) Jockey: Conor O’Farrell Owner: Jerry Wright Adam Lucock Patricia Murray Trainer: Ben Case, Banbury Breeder: Brendan Richardson Sponsor: David Andrews Construction Limited
TIMEFORM VIEW Progressive over fences during 2020/21 campaign but offered little last season (pulled up all 3 starts) and needs to bounce back in a major way following an 8-month break (has underone wind surgery in the interim). Star RatingHHIII BHA 120 7 GRANGE RANGER (IRE) (21) 2/36PF-1 CD
10 10-7
B g Kalanisi (IRE) - Grangeclare Flight (IRE) Jockey: Jack Hogan (7) Owner: Oakwood Rainbow Trainer: Micky Hammond, Middleham Breeder: Brian Kiely Sponsor: Micky Hammond Racing
DECLARED RUNNERS 7 2021: SAINT PALAIS (FR) 4 10 10 Sean Quinlan 4-5 (Richard Bandey) 9 ran
Blinkers worn by No. 1. Tongue Strap worn by No. 2. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2, 5, 6. Running for the first time since Wind Surgery No. 6. Stewards Note: THE VOLLAN: Following its run on 12/11/2022 it was reported that the horse slowed after erring early-on. Probable S.P’s: 5-2 Indy Five (IRE), 10-3 Chirico Vallis (FR), 11-2 Grange Ranger (IRE), 7-1 Burrows Diamond (FR), 10-1 Kalooki (GER), 12-1 Shanty Alley (GB), 14-1 The Vollan (IRE)
PLAY SMARTER
The vote goes to CHIRICO VALLIS, who didn’t exactly end last season on a high but landed a competitive Chepstow handicap on his reappearance off just a 2lb lower mark last October and his record when fresh augurs well. Indy Five is a much-respected main danger on the back of a creditable display at Cheltenham and his form figures when partnered by Jack Andrews read 122. The others all have questions marks hanging over them for one reason or another, including recent C&D winner Grange Ranger. TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.CHIRICO VALLIS (FR) 2.INDY FIVE (IRE) 3.GRANGE RANGER (IRE)
THE RESULT
1st..............................................................
Vickers Bet will present a cash prize of £50 to the stablehand responsible for the Best Turned Out Horse in this race. They will also present a memento to the winning owner.
