13:40 Thu 11 May 2023

RACING TV MAIDEN HURDLE (4)

Distance 2m 4f 145y

Prize £4,520 Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 6

Going Good

1. Park Hill Dancer: This French horse has shown some promise, with a wide-margin bumper win in 2022 and a respectable second place on his hurdling debut at Market Rasen. However, his last two performances were somewhat disappointing, as he finished weakly despite being the favourite. He’ll need to prove himself in this race.
2. Final Encore: Final Encore won a good-ground Taunton bumper last April and demonstrated potential on his hurdle debut, finishing second at the same location. Despite a struggle in a challenging Cheltenham race recently, he should be more competitive in this race.
3. A Definite Getaway: Although this Irish horse doesn’t have a convincing record over hurdles, he delivered a solid performance when second at Market Rasen last month. If he can replicate that form, he could be a strong contender in this race.
4. Fandabidozi: Despite a modest strike-rate on the Flat, Fandabidozi shaped quite well in his recent hurdling debut at Warwick. His proximity to the leaders in that race may have flattered him, and other competitors seem stronger in this race, but he could still pull off a surprise.

Overlooked Horse:

Honey Davis: As a first foal from a bumper/low-grade hurdle winner, Honey Davis doesn’t have a daunting standard to reach in this debut outing. Although she might be best watched for now, she could have potential for future races.

14:15 Thu 11 May 2023

NYMAN LIBSON PAUL NOVICES’ HANDICAP HURDLE (4)

Distance 1m 7f 171y

Prize £5,174 Rated (0-120) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 7

Going Good

1. Odins Quest: This horse demonstrated potential by winning a course bumper in 2022 and recently came good over hurdles at Wincanton. Although he faces a more significant challenge in this handicap, there’s room for further improvement. The downside would be the jump in competition level which could test his abilities.
2. I Hope Star: Placed twice at Lingfield at the start of the year and performed respectably on soft ground in Warwick in March. He’s 2lb lower here, which could enhance his chances. However, if the ground conditions aren’t ideal, it might negatively impact his performance.
3. Parc Damour: Demonstrated potential by winning a bumper last year and was a clear second on his recent handicap debut at Warwick. The implementation of a first-time hood could help him settle better in this race, making him a strong contender. Still, a question mark exists about how he will respond to the hood, which could make or break his race.
4. Choirmaster: Showed promise on the flat and displayed minor promise in two Doncaster hurdles. He’s out of the weights for this handicap debut and will have something to prove if the ground is slower than good. However, he’s open to improvement with a tongue-tie fitted.

Overlooked Horse:

Estacas: This horse won an Ascot bumper for a German stable in 2021 and showed promise over hurdles when a 66-1 second at Ludlow in February. However, his poor run over C&D the following month casts some doubt. He had a wind operation last month, and it’s hard to predict his performance on his handicap debut, but if the wind operation proves successful, he could surprise in this race.

14:50 Thu 11 May 2023

BET AT racingtv.com HANDICAP CHASE (4)

Distance 2m 104y

Prize £5,991 Rated (0-120) Age 5yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 7

Going Good

1. Blueberry Wine: A horse that has performed consistently, scoring fairly in its recent attempt at Bangor. However, a potential concern is the horse’s track record when racing off officially 105 or higher, which currently stands at 0-6. This suggests that Blueberry Wine may struggle in more competitive environments.
2. Elios Dor: This horse has shown affinity for flat courses and conditions no worse than good to soft, as demonstrated by his win at Kempton in April. He’s also had a good performance in class 4 over fences with form figures of 121. That being said, there’s always an element of unpredictability when switching between hurdles and fences.
3. Ragamuffin: This horse has a strong track record, having never finished out of the first two in eight chases. Noted as a potential pace influencer and has shown a propensity for finding form quickly after a break. However, there might be a potential concern regarding whether he can maintain his pace and stamina throughout the race.
4. Somekindofstar: Known to perform well when fresh, but his recent return from 153 days out at Warwick seemed less than optimal. Although he drops back from 2m4f, he’s won over a sharp 2m before, which suggests potential for this race. A downside is that he’s 2lb badly in, which might affect his performance.

Overlooked Horse:

Dino Velvet: Despite the recent decrease in his rating, he has shown resilience in the past. His return to a shorter distance could potentially be beneficial, but significant rain could negatively impact his performance. It would be interesting to see if Dino Velvet can bounce back from his recent weaker performances.

15:25 Thu 11 May 2023

EVERY RACE LIVE ON RACING TV MARES’ HANDICAP HURDLE (5)

Distance 3m 1f 10y

Prize £3,750 Rated (0-100) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 13

Going Good

1. Sadie Hill: Showed good form when she won at Ffos Las a fortnight ago. The move to a more galloping track was beneficial for her, but it’s uncertain how well she’ll adapt to Huntingdon. Her only 3lb higher score could be a slight concern, but she’s entering a weaker race than the previous 0-110.
2. Div Ine Tara: This horse carries the lineage of a 16-time point/Rules winner at 3m-4m1f. Her last performance at Ludlow, where she showed significant late energy, suggests she might be ready for a longer trip. The drop of 2lb could give her an advantage.
3. Gaia Vallis: She has returned to form in her last three races, with a slight increase after her second-place finish at Taunton, but still 4lb below her last winning mark. There are no concerns about the trip or ground conditions for her, making her a strong contender.
4. Kentford Mallard: With a track record of 3-36 over hurdles, she came close to winning this race last year, losing by less than 1l. Her last performance behind Gaia Vallis was solid, even on less than ideal ground. Her current mark is just 1lb off her last winning one, which could bode well for her.

Overlooked Horse:

Ratoute Yutty: This horse has a record of 2-7 over this course and distance, which includes a win in this race last year. While her recent performances have been lacklustre, resulting in a 7lb lower mark today, she could potentially spring a surprise given her past record here. It’s worth noting her past success in the race and her familiarity with the course.

16:00 Thu 11 May 2023

NIGEL HELLEWELL HANDICAP HURDLE (4)

Distance 2m 3f 137y

Prize £5,174 Rated (0-110) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 12

Going Good

1. William Of York: This horse has shown good form, winning his last two races since adopting a front-runner role. He won his last race over a slightly longer distance at this very course, indicating familiarity and comfort. However, he still has some quirks to be ironed out, and his ability to control his pace may be a concern. The forecasted rain may favour him, hinting at his adaptability in different weather conditions.
2. Issar Dairy: Issar Dairy had a mixed campaign last season, but he managed to clinch two wins, including one at this very course. His last victory was impressive, despite a jumping error at the last flight. He should still be competitive even with today’s 6lb higher mark, though the increased score might pose a slight challenge.
3. Give Me A Cuddle: Despite not making any further progress since his win at Doncaster in January, Give Me A Cuddle gave a good account of himself at Kempton, finishing fifth. If he performs at a similar level, he has each-way claims at the very least. However, his lack of recent progress might be a slight concern.
4. Swapped: Swapped showed promise in his novice hurdles last season, suggesting potential room for improvement in handicaps. He had a wind operation soon after his latest run in January, and will be moving up in trip today. It remains to be seen how well he has recovered from the operation and whether the increased distance will suit him.

Overlooked Horse:

Denable: This horse has found form over hurdles in the early part of last season, winning twice. Her second-place finish at Kempton, ahead of Give Me A Cuddle, was commendable. Running on the same mark here, Denable should not be underestimated and could potentially surprise.

16:30 Thu 11 May 2023

NYMAN LIBSON PAUL NOVICES’ HANDICAP CHASE (5)

Distance 2m 7f 129y

Prize £4,225 Rated (0-100) Age 5yo+ Race State Declaration Runners 8

Going Good

1. Doyens De Ante: Doyens De Ante seems to be a strong contender based on his comfortable win at Chepstow last month, replicating the best of his two previous placed efforts over today’s course and distance. Although he has a 6lb rise, it appears to be fair and manageable. He was a non runner at Fontwell yesterday.
2. I’m A Starman: He has a notable record as a hurdles winner and made a strong statement as a chaser when he finished second in a Wincanton 0-110 last month. The tongue-tie that likely aided him then is retained for this race. While he’s a player down in grade with few ground concerns, his ability to repeat his last performance is yet to be seen.
3. Telart: Telart’s performances this year have been negatively affected by heavy and fast-deteriorating ground conditions in his handicap chase starts. However, if he replicates the form that saw him finish second in a 3m1f hurdles race here in February, he could be a close contender. His ability to adapt to the day’s ground conditions will be crucial.
4. Dorado Dollar: Dorado Dollar nearly won at Warwick a fortnight ago, which was a remarkable improvement despite being 5lb out of the weights. He runs off his true mark this time, but it’s uncertain if he can replicate his near-win performance.

Overlooked Horse:

Carrigeen Konini: Despite inconsistent performances over hurdles during winter, Carrigeen Konini comes from a lineage of a useful 2m2f-2m4f chaser, which gives hope for some potential in this sphere. The main question is whether this distance might be too far for him. This is her stable bow, which could bring an element of surprise.

17:05 Thu 11 May 2023

RACING TV OPEN MAIDEN NATIONAL HUNT FLAT (5)

Distance 1m 7f 171y

Prize £2,178 Age 4yo to 5yo Race State Declaration Runners 16

Going Good

1. Whatawit: Whatawit is a brother to a bumper winner and half-brother to another. Although he was brushed aside by a clear winner after leading at Market Rasen in February, his debut still showed promise. His lineage suggests potential, and if he can build on his debut performance, he could be a strong contender. However, there is the question of whether he can handle the competition in this race.
2. Mistral Blue: A half-sister to a bumper winner, Mistral Blue showed a promising debut, finishing just about 4 lengths behind the winner at Fakenham last month. While the competition here may be stiffer, her debut suggests she could be in the mix. Her ability to step up to this level of competition will be crucial.
3. Broomhill Road: Out of a half-sister to the stable’s very useful hurdler Montbazon, Broomhill Road gave a short-odds favourite a run for their money when he finished a clear second on his debut at Doncaster in March. This performance suggests he likely has a significant role to play here. However, as this is only his second race, his consistency is yet to be proven.
4. Montecam: Montecam, a half-brother to the stable’s top-class chaser Altior, showed significant promise before fading into sixth place in a field of 17 at Kempton in March. Despite this, his pedigree and initial showing suggest he could be a likely contender here. His ability to sustain his performance throughout the race will be important.

Overlooked Horse:

Head Over Hinds: A 48,000 euros 3-year-old and the second foal of a dam who was a bumper/fairly useful flat/useful hurdle winner, and half-sister to useful jumper Due Reward, Head Over Hinds comes from a stable that wins a fair share of bumpers. If there’s market support for him, it could indicate he’s ready to compete. His lack of racing history, however, makes it difficult to assess his potential fully.