12:35 Hereford

Wednesday 29 November 2017

All12:3513:0513:3514:1014:4015:1515:45

Major Philip Verdin Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase

  • 4YO plus  |   Class 4  |   2m 8y  |   Good (Good to Firm in places)  |   9 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 12:37  |   Winning time: 3m 59.8s
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1
Horse silk
King's Tempestp116
Age: 8|  Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR:  105| D
3/1
Found little last time despite trainer considering his mark to be favourable. Possible that run may have been needed and he now switches to chasing. Has dropped a further 5lb in the weights with cheekpieces now added and stable in excellent form.
2
Horse silk
Burrenbridge Hotel27
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: Henry Oliver| OR:  105| D
20/1
Successful point-to-pointer who landed a five-runner maiden hurdle at Chepstow (2m, good-to-firm); stable in form and have an excellent record here; reunited with winning rider and sure to improve for reappearance four weeks ago.
3
Horse silk
Tikkintheboxh,t40
Age: 5|  Weight: 11-11| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR:  104
16/1
Struggling to put two good runs together at present. Due to produce a decent performance this time and stable have been in better form lately.
4
Horse silk
Torhousemuir190
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch(3)| T: S Thomas| OR:  102
5/1
Appeared to have a lot left in the tank when coming down three out on his last start in May. Remains on the same mark and one to check in the market.
5
Horse silk
Sydney De Baune29
Age: 6|  Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR:  100
9/4
Finally fulfilled debut promise by getting the better of a battle at Chepstow last month. An 11lb reassessment seems harsh but he looks the type to progress, particularly now switched to fences. Drop in trip and quicker ground could be an issue.
6
Horse silk
Ring Eye57
Age: 9|  Weight: 11-1| J: R T Dunne| T: S-J Davies| OR:  94| D
25/1
Lost his way on the Flat during the summer and was in trouble when losing his rider in a Southwell hurdle last time. Makes chasing debut and hard to fancy his chances.
7
Horse silk
Sage Monkey13
Age: 8|  Weight: 10-10| J: R Patrick(5)| T: Kerry Lee| OR:  89
4/1
Landed a weak race at Bangor during the summer and has failed to complete in two of his three starts since.
8
Horse silk
Emperor Commodost,v43
Age: 10|  Weight: 10-9| J: R J Condon(7)| T: R Mathew| OR:  88
14/1
Finished second in a run of the mill race at Lingfield a year ago at odds of 33/1 . Has been poor since and hard to fancy despite his falling mark.
9
Horse silk
Norphin19
Age: 7|  Weight: 10-0| J: L Treadwell| T: J W Mullins| OR:  70
20/1
29-race maiden who was tailed off last of six on latest start. In here from 9lb out of the weights and hard to fancy on current form.

Forecasts

Sydney De Baune (9/4), King's Tempest (3/1), Sage Monkey (4/1), Torhousemuir (5/1), Emperor Commodos (14/1), Tikkinthebox (16/1), Burrenbridge Hotel (20/1), Norphin (20/1), Ring Eye (25/1)

Verdict

Sydney De Baume appeals as the type to win races over fences. Such was the improvement shown last time that he can still be considered off an 11lb higher mark. However, this shorter trip around this sharper circuit on faster ground raises serious doubts about his chances. King's Prospect represents an in form trainer and is another to appeal now switching to the chasing ranks. This mark is one his trainer feels is one that he should be able to exploit, however he has disappointed once too often and preference is for BURRENBRIDGE HOTEL. Henry Oliver's horses are running well having had the benefit of their first run back from the summer recess. He spreadeagled a small field at Chepstow over hurdles in the spring and is on an attractive mark judged on that effort. Torhousemuir was travelling like a winner when coming down last time. If the market signals he in none the worse for that mishap and a six month break, then he would have to enter calculations.
  1. Burrenbridge Hotel
  2. King's Tempest
  3. Sydney De Baune

Previous Winners

2016
Knight's Reward
Weight: 10-2  |Age: 6
5/2

Prize Money

1st: £6,256.002nd: £1,848.003rd: £924.004th: £462.005th: £231.006th: £116.00

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