13:45 Mon 08 May 2023

PURPLE GRANITE HANDICAP CHASE (3)

Distance 2m 110y

Prize £6,337 Rated (0-130) Age 5yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 11

Going Good (Good to Firm in places)

1. Swaffham Bulbeck (IRE): A six-time hurdle winner, most recently winning comfortably at Fakenham. Although not seen over fences since a victory in a three-runner contest in 2021, Swaffham Bulbeck has a workable current mark, and the drop back to 2m shouldn’t be an issue.
2. Noahthirtytwored (IRE): A dual course winner over hurdles, Noahthirtytwored had a strong performance on chasing debut at Newton Abbot and a creditable fourth at Cheltenham. Likely benefited from last month’s AW run and could be well handicapped over fences.
3. Give Me A Moment (IRE): A good-ground specialist with multiple wins in handicap chases and novice hurdles. Returning from a break with a satisfactory hurdle run in March, this horse is a contender if the ground conditions are favourable.
4. Kauto The King (FR): With a strong 8-24 strike-rate over fences, Kauto The King is back on a workable mark. However, the horse has seemingly lost its way since returning from a break in the autumn, and forecasted rain may not work in its favour.

Outside of the top 4, Raffle Ticket is worth considering. This lightly raced 9-year-old started its chasing career with two good efforts, and although returning from a 115-day break, could still have more to offer over the shorter trip.

14:15 Mon 08 May 2023

JOIN OUR BET CLUB AT VICKERS.BET OPEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT (5)

Distance 2m

Prize £2,614 Age 4yo to 5yo Race State Declaration Runners 12

Going Good (Good to Firm in places)

1. Pyffo (IRE): A half-brother to three bumper winners, Pyffo built upon a promising debut and performed well at Haydock. Although carrying a penalty here, this horse is likely to make its presence felt.
2. Charmian’s Place (IRE): A half-sister to the bumper/useful hurdle winner Myplaceatmidnight, Charmian’s Place made a promising debut at Warwick and should be considered in this race.
3. Ideal Des Bordes: The first foal from a well-connected French jumping mare, Ideal Des Bordes made a winning Irish point debut in December and has joined a top stable for his rules career. This horse should be taken very seriously.
4. Moon Chime: A £10,000 3-year-old and first foal from a triple 2m hurdle winner, Moon Chime comes from a stable with a strong bumper record. It wouldn’t be a surprise if this newcomer features in the race.

Outside of the top 4, Onewaywest is worth considering. A 25,000-euro 3-year-old and half-brother to Grade 2 hurdle winner Birchdale, Onewaywest is an interesting newcomer from a stable with a respectable 10% strike-rate in bumpers in the last five seasons.

14:45 Mon 08 May 2023

BEST ODDS GUARANTEED AT VICKERS.BET MAIDEN HURDLE (Qualifier) (4) (D.I)

Distance 2m

Prize £4,357 Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 12

Going Good (Good to Firm in places)

1. Idealdes Villerets (FR): With a strong performance in a Listed bumper and making the frame on all four hurdling starts last season, Idealdes Villerets should prove to be a tough competitor on today’s stable debut.
2. Buxted Too: Although well beaten on his hurdling debut in 2021, Buxted Too has performed impressively on the AW this year, winning five times at around 1m4f. This horse is an interesting contender in this race.
3. Tchoupinminzac (FR): A dual bumper winner in 2021-22, Tchoupinminzac ran as if something was amiss on his hurdling debut last August but could still have a promising future over jumps. The market may provide guidance on his chances.
4. Vision Of Hope: A dual 1m4f AW winner, Vision Of Hope struggled in two juvenile hurdles and performed poorly on the Flat later on. Now with a new stable, there are less risky options, but this horse has shown potential in the past.

Outside of the top 4, Tregele is worth considering. Out of a smart jumper and showing promise on his bumper debut at Southwell, Tregele didn’t perform as well on slower ground at Stratford but remains an interesting contender.

15:15 Mon 08 May 2023

BEST ODDS GUARANTEED AT VICKERS.BET MAIDEN HURDLE (Qualifier) (4) (D.II)

Distance 2m

Prize £4,357 Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 12

Going Good (Good to Firm in places)

1. Evenwood Sonofagun (IRE): Despite being 0-10 over hurdles, Evenwood Sonofagun has shown potential with a promising debut for the yard at Cheltenham and a keeping-on seventh in a 2m handicap there. Likely to be one of the better performers in this race.
2. Myristica (IRE): With four 1m2f Flat wins under her belt, Myristica made a creditable start at Newbury recently. If she shows aptitude for hurdling, she should be a strong contender in this race.
3. Komedy Kicks (IRE): Demonstrating solid runs in 1m4f Galway handicaps and a close second in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle, Komedy Kicks may improve today after a lesser effort in his recent debut for a new yard.
4. Allihies (IRE): Allihies won a Flat debut at 7f in Ireland and showed fairly useful handicap form up to 1m2f. Despite a modest hurdle debut, wind surgery since then could be beneficial, although he still has something to prove.

Outside of the top 4, Our Scholar is worth considering. Lightly raced on the Flat in Ireland, Our Scholar performed well at Southwell last month. He has shown potential for improvement and could be a threat in this race.

15:50 Mon 08 May 2023

VICKERS.BET JOIN FACEBOOK FOR NEW OFFERS HANDICAP HURDLE (4)

Distance 2m 7f

Prize £4,225 Rated (0-120) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 12

Going Good (Good to Firm in places)

1. Crossing The Bar (IRE): Performed well for Neil Mulholland last season with two 3m1f wins at Plumpton. Drew clear alongside a progressive rival in the latter race and should be able to manage today’s 4lb higher mark.
2. Czech Her Out (IRE): Returned to form with a 33-1 surprise over C&D last summer and won again at Southwell last month. Although the latest win should be viewed with caution, she is in contention for a hat-trick attempt.
3. Ballycamus (IRE): Improved form with a win at Newbury in March and a clear second at Ludlow last month. Adaptable to weather conditions, he should be high on the list of contenders.
4. Umndeni (FR): Showed encouraging form at Newbury in March after a long absence. He will need to take another step forward here, but the longer trip should suit him, and he is well handicapped based on old form.

Outside of the top 4, Come On Gruff is worth considering. Lightly raced and placed in two of his three starts last season, he will benefit from the forecast rain and could be a threat in this race.

16:20 Mon 08 May 2023

CAZOO NOVICES’ HURDLE (Qualifier) (4)

Distance 2m 4f

Prize £4,357 Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 7

Going Good (Good to Firm in places)

1. Everyonesgame (IRE): A bumper winner who took some time to find his feet over hurdles but showed promise with a fifth-place finish at Newbury and an easy win at Hereford after wind surgery. Despite the penalty, he has a good chance in this race.
2. Ikarak (FR): A French chase winner who displayed a strong rally on his British debut at Fontwell. If he can translate that form back to hurdles, he has a good chance of performing well in this race.
3. Astigar (FR): Showed useful bumper form but has had an inconsistent hurdle career. Returned to form at Wincanton in March and had a second wind surgery since. It’s uncertain if he’ll maintain that form, but he shouldn’t be ruled out.
4. Archie Macdart: Placed in the frame in novice hurdles at similar trips in his last two starts, but this race could be another tough task at the weights.

An additional horse to consider is Doughmore Bay, who fell during an Irish point in November but was holding every chance at the time. Sold for £90,000 since then, he is worth keeping an eye on the market for his British and hurdle debut.