16:45 Warwick: Timeform preview and free Race Pass
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The most valuable event on Warwick’s card is the three and a quarter mile handicap hurdle (16:45) with seven runners going for a first prize of more than £9,000.
Top weight here is Jatiluwih (144) for ‘Hot Trainer’ Philip Hobbs but his conditional jockey Elizabeth Gale can claim 10 lb and Jatiluwih looks well handicapped on his old form. While it’s more than three years since his last victory when completing a five-timer at Cheltenham, he hasn’t had much racing in the interim, some of it over fences, and has now dropped to 3 lb below his last winning mark. He ran well when fourth after the best part of a year off at Cheltenham in December and filled the same position behind Annual Invictus at Newbury last time on very firm ground, whereas most of his racing has been under much softer conditions.
The tough and reliable Loup de Maulde (141) looks the main danger, having progressed well in staying handicap hurdles since joining Robbie Llewellyn earlier this season. He’s won three times this term, twice at Huntingdon and once at Hereford, and has been placed in his other starts, most recently finishing clear of the rest when four and a half lengths second to Thomas Mor at Ascot, going through the race as though he’s still on a good mark.
Sporting Ace (141) is another consistent type for Neil King and has the ‘Horses For Courses’ flag after winning a maiden hurdle at Warwick last May and running well when third over course and distance in December. He’s been runner-up at short odds at Exeter on his last couple of outings but hasn’t looked too resolute, hanging left in the closing stages both times, most recently when going down by two and a quarter lengths to Halifax.
Dan Skelton’s novice Heezer Geezer (135) looks to have been set a stiffish task for his first start in a handicap though he’s very unexposed compared to the rest, winning his only start in a bumper and having run only four times over hurdles. He narrowly won a maiden at Hereford in December but seemingly wasn’t so well suited by the step up to three miles when third to Inch House in a novice at Chepstow last time which is something of a concern going over a bit further still here.
Sirobbie (141) won at Huntingdon last May and has slipped back down to that winning mark after a busy winter campaign but has been more miss than hit of late, finishing a couple of places behind Jatiluwih at Newbury and more recently running just respectably at Doncaster when swapping his usual visor for blinkers which are retained here.
Veteran Bobo Mac (142) was the ready winner of a conditional jockeys’ race at Chepstow in November but his two runs since have fallen well short of that effort, while Ernesto (?) is another who has been out of sorts since a win in the autumn when successful at Hereford in October.
Timeform Analyst’s Verdict:
Back over hurdles after 11 months off, Jatiluwih has shown that he retains his ability this season and, having dropped to 3 lb below his last winning mark, he can get his head back in front again returned to this class. Loup de Maulde has been progressing well for his current yard and is feared most, ahead of course winner Sporting Ace.
Timeform's weight-adjusted ratings:
144 Jatiluwih
142 Bobo Mac
141 Loup de Maulde
141 Sirobbie
141 Sporting Ace
135 Heezer Geezer
? Ernesto
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