TimeformBlog

David Pipe's Balgarry made light of a 557-day absence to run away with a competitive handicap hurdle at Newbury on Saturday, and Pipe will be hoping lightning can strike twice this afternoon with the ex-Philip Hobbs trained Terfel's Toscar (14:45) at Hereford. Quietly progressive in three runs over hurdles during the 2009/10 season, the son of Oscar was last seen finishing second to his then stablemate Mostly Bob in a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter in April 2010. In the intervening period, Mostly Bob has gone on to prove himself at least a fairly useful performer over both hurdles and fences, suggesting that Terfel's Toscar could have been let in lightly making his handicap debut off a BHA rating of just 95. Open to any amount of improvement with just those three runs to his name, fitness is unlikely to be an issue hailing from these quarters and Terfel's Toscar can make a winning return to action.

Grand National winning trainer Venetia Williams has a great record at her local track, operating at a strike rate of 18% at Hereford in the last five seasons. That strike rate improves to 24% when you concentrate solely on her runners over the larger obstacles, highlighting the claims of Carrickboy (16.45) in this afternoon's handicap chase. Owned by Trevor Hemmings, this winning hurdler didn't take to fences as quickly as expected, failing to get his head in front on four occasions last season, whilst also being pulled up on his reappearance this time around. However, in keeping with the majority of Williams' horses, Carrickboy has really found his form in recent months and broke his chasing duck at Catterick in January. Again sent on his travels last time, Carrickboy was going strongly in front in a handicap chase at Ayr prior to a mistake two out that knocked the stuffing out of him, eventually finishing ten lengths behind the winner Bishops Heir in second. That run strongly suggests he is capable of winning races off his current official mark of 128, and as a normally fluent jumper he is fancied to be another winner for Williams at her local track.

We switch to the polytrack at Lingfield for our third and final SmartPlay which comes in the shape of the David Simcock trained Prime Run (17.00). A 140,000 guineas purchase as a yearling, the half-sister to Group 1 winner Silca's Sister made a highly encouraging racecourse debut when narrowly beaten at Wolverhampton last month. Prime Run shaped like the best horse in the race that day, as after travelling best of all she ran green under pressure going down narrowly to the more experienced odds-on favourite Red Trump. Plenty of improvement is expected with that run under her belt and she should make the most of what looks a good opportunity to break her maiden tag at the second time of asking.

Back Terfel's Toscar @ 4.6 in the 14.45 at Hereford
Back Carrickboy @ 3.65 in the 16.45 at Hereford
Back Prime Run @ 2.42 in the 17.00 at Lingfield

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Russian Flag won twice over fences last season, and has fallen to last winning mark, but his efforts this term, including over hurdles, have been underwhelming, and he can't be backed with any confidence.

Phiddipides is not a fluent jumper of fences, but won a novice at Ludlow in November 2010. Has failed to complete on both starts this season, and capitulated tamely when last seen at Musselburgh in January.

Rougham took well to fences last season, winning at Ascot. In frame on all 3 completed starts this season, but prone to mistakes still, and crashed out at Taunton on latest outing. Best when able to lead.

Carrickboy belatedly broke his duck over fences when beating Stopped Out in a 19f Catterick maiden chase in January, and worn down late when runner-up at Ayr next time. On a fair mark for return to handicaps.

Made In Time won handicap chases at Ffos Las and Taunton this winter, and looked set to go close at Cheltenham in January until fading late on having been hampered. May well have more to come, and respected.

Only Vintage's patchy record owes much to sloppy jumping, but cut out mistakes when scoring at Folkestone in January. Back to bad old ways in 2 starts since, although just the type to pop up unexpectedly.

Tyup Pompey goes well at Ludlow, winning twice over 2½m in April. Well below best when last seen in November, though, and may need this return to action.

Alpha Way is a free-going sort who landed second of a trio of chase wins this term over C&D in December. Below form last 2 starts however, for all he faced a stiff task last time, and opposable again.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Carrickboy
2. Made In Time
3. Rougham

Timeform View: Carrickboy would have made it 2 on the bounce but for a late mistake at Ayr, and he makes most appeal here, although Made In Time caught the eye travelling strongly at Cheltenham last time, and should offer some resistance. Rougham could be dangerous if allowed an easy lead.

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Railway Dillon did well over hurdles last term but let down by attitude initially over fences. Came good fitted with blinkers when winning last 2 starts, jumping well, and bold bid for hat-trick on the cards.

Larks Lad was a useful hurdler who showed initial promise in his chasing career. However, he was disappointing on last 2 starts, including on return to timber last time.

Carribs Leap was a dual point/bumper winner who's shown fairly useful form over hurdles. Made a pleasing chase debut when second of 4 at Warwick last time and open to improvement in this sphere.

Global Flyer was better than ever when bagging second handicap win over fences on return from a break at Huntingdon (2½m) in January. Just respectable efforts off new mark next 2 starts, though.

Valid Point improved since tackling handicaps over hurdles, winning 3 times at up to 3m at Towcester. Made good start to chasing career when second of 4 at Leicester last time and entitled to respect.

Thats Ben is a point winner who has run well in 3 outings under Rules, third in a couple of novice chases and running sound race on handicap debut at Warwick in December. Capable of better still.

No Loose Change is an Irish point winner who has shaped well in the frame on all 3 hurdles outings, including on handicap debut at Wincanton last time. Tongue tied now on chase debut, but much respected given profile.

Romulus d'Artaix was expensive to follow over hurdles but ran his best race so far when second to Arctic Ben on chase debut at Warwick last time. Needs to jump better if he's to open his account in this, though.

Carbinier matched his winning hurdling form when runner-up second try over fences at Towcester (2¾m) in December. Took advantage of ease in the weights at Leicester last time but is 10 lb higher now.

Nataani landed an Irish bumper in 2008, and steadily progressive in 3 novice hurdles this term. Tongue tied and much better effort over fences when second at Southwell last time. Not ruled out.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Rainway Dillon
2. No Loose Change
3. Thats Ben

Timeform View: Railway Dillon looks a different horse since being fitted with blinkers and is fancied to defy a penalty and complete a hat-trick. Thrice-raced pair No Loose Change and Thats Ben head the dangers.

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Donald McCain and Jason Maguire combined for a treble at Bangor yesterday and the pair can get off to the best possible start at Ludlow today via hurdling debutant Call Back (14:30) in the opening two-mile novice event. Call Back was much improved on his second start when winning a Newcastle bumper in December and was not disgraced in a hot Cheltenham event (third won next time) at the beginning of January that usually works out well, suggesting that he could be one to take seriously once sent hurdling. He gets the chance to prove that synopsis correct in what looks a winnable race this afternoon and, while Call Back's owner will be hoping for Supreme Novices' success with another son of Beat Hollow in the shape of Cinders And Ashes at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, he can celebrate a victory in his black and green silks more immediately this afternoon.

A vacation to America, albeit a working one, doesn't seem to have done Joe Le Taxi (16:50) any favours judged on his efforts since returning from a couple of starts at Arlington last May/June. A four-time all-weather winner (included on today's fibresand), Joe Le Taxi has shown far from winning ability in his last four outings, his latest ninth of 10 at Lingfield highlighting his struggle for form. Granted he's slipping down the weights as a result, but he looks one to be wary of at present and strikes as a place lay in the six-furlong handicap at Southwell.

Apprentice rider Justin Newman has acquired plenty of admirers in his fledgling career so far and the 5-lb claimer can partner a winner for his boss Bryan Smart this evening courtesy of Hambleton (17:40) in the opening sprint handicap at Kempton. Admittedly the five-year-old has only won one race to date, taking a Redcar amateur riders' maiden off a BHA rating of just 45 in May of last year, but he has shaped well at Wolverhampton on his last two outings since returning from a three-month break and he looks primed to be competitive of a mark of 50 today. The return to six furlongs will suit Hambleton and he's been handed the bonus of stall one.

Back Call Back @ 3.55 in the 14:30 at Ludlow
Lay Joe Le Taxi @ 1.87 for a place in the 16:50 at Southwell
Back Hambleton @ 6.8 in the 17:40 at Kempton

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14:30 - Dark Shadow looks like a sensible selection in the opening novice hurdle, with his form to date over obstacles looking just about the most solid on offer. With the defection of Hoare Abbey, Nicky Henderson's five-year-old goes is as a banker.

15:00 - The first of a few tricky seven-runner - and so only two places - races on the card, and it could pay to play things safe with the two 'obvious' ones. Tiger O'Toole was a decent hurdler and shaped better on his latest chase start over two miles, giving the imrpession that he'd appreciate this step up to two and a half miles. U B Carefull posted solid efforts on his first three completed starts over fences, and seemed to get bogged down in heavy ground last time. With a break to freshen him up and the return to a sounder surface today, he should also be on the premises.

15:30 - Derwen Pryde was an impressive winner over course and distance back in November, and shaped well after a short break in soft ground at Ffos Las eleven days ago, suggesting this sort of mark may not prove beyond her. With that run under her belt she should go well, and is the sole selection.

16:00 - The three-mile handicap chase is the most valuable race on the card, and course specialist Theatre Diva is fancied to go well. Her form figures here read 2121111, and she made a satisfactory reappearance at Wincanton recently. If coming on from that effort, she would look to have every chance of hitting the frame. Cootehill is a largley consistent performer who arrives on the back of a few solid efforts, and has gone well at the track, so can also make his presence felt.

16:30 - Themilanhorse is lightly raced, and the form of his win at Warwick reads well (runner-up won next two). There's a fair chance he will rate much higher than this mark in the future, and it would be disappoiting if he didn't go close.

17:00 - The final-leg hunter chase has an open feel to it. Double Mead has been a winner and a runner-up in two starts at Ludlow, arrives on the back of an easy pointing win, and looks to hold every chance of going close. Oca De Thaix hasn't run for 257 days, but that isn't neccessarily a concern given he won over course and distance after a similar absence last February, and he also looks to hold every chance.

Selections:
14:30 - 3
15:00 - 5, 6
15:30 - 6
16:00 - 3, 5
16:30 - 1
17:00 - 2, 5
= 8 Lines

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Timeform run the rule over what looks a strong handicap hurdle at Bangor on Wednesday afternoon...


Quart De Thaix is a useful hurdler who made a much better fist of things over fences last term, scoring twice. Below form on return in the autumn, including back over hurdles, but yard going much better now.

Cantlow was a useful novice last season who got career firmly back on track when second to Poungach in big field at Sandown in early December. Off since but won't be far away if turning up here in same form.

The Jigsaw Man made all to win listed hurdle at Sandown in April. Put couple of poor runs behind him when shaping well in fourth at Newbury recenrly and definite contender here off the same mark.

Radetsky March did well returned to hurdles last spring, and put a couple of non-completions behind him when doggedly beating Blazing Buck at Ffos Las in December. 7 lb higher mark here makes life harder now.

Cloudy Spirit is a hold-up performer who's proving genuine and consistent, making frame off this mark at Kempton in December and not discredited in Ascot Grade 2 since. No reason she won't give running again.

Global Power is a bumper/hurdles winner who was better than ever when runner-up at Chepstow (2½m) on reappearance in October. However, rather lost his way since and watching brief has to be advised for time being.

Silver Gypsy was twice a winner over hurdles for Kim Bailey, but not taken to chasing as expected for this yard. Well held in Grade 2 back over hurdles last time and hard to fancy even though this is bit easier.

Sweet Irony is a fairly useful hurdler who landed a C&D novice last spring. Good second at Taunton in November and should be spot on for this after third in a Kempton jumpers' bumper earlier in month.

Timesawastin has his share of quirks, but clearly talented, and ran best race when runner-up to Rangitoto in Cheltenham handicap in November. Ran out at Kempton latest but return to left-handed track should help.

Big Easy was a flat winner in France and displayed anticipated improvement when making successful handicap debut at Doncaster last month. Impressive that day and even 13 lb rise may not stop him.

Knight In Purple was in excellent form last spring, winning twice and runner-up in Swinton. Back to form when second to thriving Dontpaytheferryman at Musselburgh latest and well worth another try over 2½m.

Mcmurrough won twice over hurdles in 2009/10. Very lightly raced since, never a threat when fourth on chasing bow on return from 18 months off in November. Off again since but recent stable form a plus.

Radmores Revenge was well ridden by 10 lb claimer when winning heavy-ground C&D event in December. Good second at Haydock next time but below par latest and best form has come under more testing conditions.

Snow Blizzard improved on joining this yard, winning maiden/novice at up to 2½m within 9 days in August. Not discredited under double penalty at Uttoxeter following month and now goes handicapping after break.


Timeform 1-2-3:

1. Big Easy
2. Knight In Purple
3. The Jigsaw Man


Timeform View:

Big Easy looked very much one to keep on side when making a winning handicap bow at Doncaster and is taken to follow up, though he won't have things all his own way in a competitive race, Knight In Purple and The Jigsaw Man just 2 of many who can be given a chance.



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Saveiro jumped better than has often been the case over fences when justifying market support at Wetherby last week. 7 lb penalty for that success partly offset by rider's claim and one to beat here.

Blacktoft won a Newton Abbot novice last season, but first campaign over fences was an inconsistent one and he stopped as if amiss returning from lengthy absence back over hurdles last month.

Storm Surge picked up a pair of handicaps from the front this season, the latest coming in cheekpieces at Haydock in December. Run poorly in 2 starts since, however, and needs to bounce back.

Gentleman Jeff was a hurdles winner for Dermot Weld and ran best race over fences when runner-up over C&D last month. Failed to build on that next time, but hurdles win did come in the blinkers that return here.

Zazamix has never been one to rely on, but ran well when runner-up to Saveiro at Wetherby last week. Can't be certain to reproduce that effort, but place claims once again if on a going day.

Ouest Eclair turned in an improved effort when opening hurdling account in 2m handicap at Warwick in March, but not at his best recently, failing to convince with his attitude in 2 starts over fences to date.

Just Maddie is a winning hurdler who made the frame in a couple of modest handicap chases in December, including over C&D. Lost touch after blundering at the eighth at Musselburgh last time.

Ice Image won a handicap at Sedgefield a year ago and although yet to fire this time around, his stable is just starting to turn the corner and he has been given a chance by the assessor.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Saveiro
2. Ice Image
3. Zazamix

Timeform View: Saveiro improved when winning at Wetherby last week and looks to have a good chance of following up under his penalty. A more positive showing from Ice Image would not surprise and he can fill the placings along with Zazamix.

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Illustrious Forest (16:00) has shown vast improvement over today's course-and-distance on his last couple of starts and looks worth siding with again today. On his penultimate start here he easily accounted for Shirataki (comfortable winner from 2 lb higher since) by eight lengths, to which the handicapper responded by putting him up a stone in the weights. However, that failed to stop him following up, beating Royal Alcor by three quarters of a length here three weeks ago. He readily went clear of his rivals on the turn into the straight on that occasion, and the fact that he wandered around in the closing stages meant that his winning margin was eroded late on. That shouldn't detract from the fact that it was still ultimately a fairly comfortable victory, however, and he has every chance of landing the hat-trick here.

Lionrock sets the standard in the maiden (17:00) and remains open to improvement, but at the current prices preference is for Michael Bell's Ruacana, who created a fair impression over course-and-distance on debut seven days ago. Despite being beaten by ten and a half lengths, encouragement can be taken from the fact that he showed clear signs of inexperience, was poorly positioned given how things unfolded, and stayed on to decent effect after failing to get a clear run. Normal improvement from that run should see him thereabouts at the finish here.

Our final SmartPlay today comes in the closing handicap, where Marksbury (18:00) looks to have a sound chance of following up her recent course-and-distance victory. Marksbury has improved with each of her four runs at Wolverhampton this winter, and a 4lb rise to an official mark of 59 for her latest success looks perfectly fair, particularly given she is still lightly raced and managed a close second from a lb higher mark last winter. At the current prices she looks a bit overpriced.

Back Illustrious Forest @ 2.9 in the 16:00 at Wolverhampton
Back Ruacama @ 3.7 in the 17:00 at Wolverhampton
Back Marksbury @ 7.0 in the 18:00 at Wolverhampton

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Deep Pockets counts last year's success in this race among 3 wins at Plumpton. First run for 8 months here last time should have him spot on and no surprise to see good showing.

Sarika is a dual point winner who has improved over regulation fences this season, winning pair of 3m Exeter handicap chases. Stamina stretched at Wincanton last time and that looks a concern here also.

Accumulus won a 3m hunter at Huntingdon in early-2010 for current yard. Lightly raced since, most of his efforts flat, and reportedly had breathing problem when last seen in May.

Flying Award improved to land back-to-back handicap hurdles in March/April last year and made good start over fences when second at Ffos Las recently. The one to beat off same mark here.

Or Sing About has been successful twice in C&D handicap chases this season, but latter win was fortuitous, and he's put in 3 moody displays since.

Sole Agent built on runner-up effort in a point when capturing 3m handicap from the front at Lingfield (3m) last March, but tailed off and refused last in hunter on last month's return and hard to warm to.

According To Them is a modest maiden chaser who made uninspiring start for new yard in conditionals handicap hurdle last month having been bought for just £400.

Turbulance hasn't always impressed with attitude, and failed to build on promise of Ludlow return when finishing weakly at Ffos Las. Well treated, but clearly very risky.

Ballinghassig got off the mark with fine front-running success from subsequent winner Tarquinius in C&D handicap last month. Should have more to offer, and contender despite being 12 lb out of weights.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Flying Award
2. Ballinhassig
3. Deep Pockets

Timeform View: Flying Award made a pleasing start over fences at Ffos Las and can go one place better here off the same mark. Recent C&D scorer Ballinhassig is much respected despite racing from well out of the handicap, with last year's winner Deep Pockets also entering the reckoning.

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Clean Bowled has beaten Crowining Star (13:40) on his last two outings and there is no reason why he cannot repeat that feat in the opening race at Lingfield this afternoon. Clean Bowled has improved in recent weeks, joining Roger Curtis from Alan McCabe prior to his latest start, and, if reproducing the form of his last two victories in claimers, he looks booked for the hat-trick. Clean Bowled made the running last time, travelling well for much of the way and, in a small-field affair, he should be able to dictate the tempo once again. He looked in control from a long way out last time and was full value for the victory, something that will definitely hold him in good stead this afternoon given it is his third race in just over two weeks.

Avoncreek (17:30) demonstrated an improved level of form to win a six-furlong handicap Wolverhampton last month and can go close in a similar event again this afternoon. That performance came after a three-month absence and there is every possibility that Avoncreek can replicate that performance, especially with his stable continuing in good order. Avoncreek benefitted from a strong early pace last time, travelling well in rear and, with a few likely to guarantee the race is run at a solid tempo, he can take advantage in what is a very winnable race.

Mark Johnston tends to do very well in all-weather maidens at this time of year and Hikma (19:00) could be one to add to the trainer's list of successes in recent weeks. Hikma was totally clueless on debut, holding her head high as she folded in the closing stages, but she should improve enormously for that experience and her rivals are yet to prove they have notable ability. She is a close relation to some smart performers and, given that Street Cry is her sire, her first tatse of a plytrack surface isn't expected to prove a problem. Daryl Byrne takes a useful 5 lb off her back and the pair combine to form our bet of the day on Friday.

Back Clean Bowled @ 1.82 in the 13:40 at Lingfield
Back Avoncreek @ 6.0 in the 17:30 at Wolverhampton
Back Hikma @ 3.5 in the 19:00 at Wolverhampton

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