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The Finnings Handicap Hurdle sees 9 horses go to post with several in with a huge chance. See our full race preview and betting tips below as we pick apart another trappy Wednesday contest.
IN SUMMARY: A trappy little contest can go the way of SUPER SAM, who returned with a ready victory at Hereford a week ago, clearly benefitting from his break. The Venetia William’s yard is back in form and the ground shouldn’t be much of a concern, so he could well be the answer to this interesting contest. Others to note are Miles to Milan who is interesting on past form and Southport who has form figures of 12 since going hurdles and has the returning Sam Twiston-Davies aboard.
1 MILES TO MILAN – First 3 runs were full of promise, winning once at Taunton (2m3f, Heavy) and also place at the venue however his last 2 runs have been very, very poor. Drops down in Class and a return to the level of form he started off with would definitely put him in the frame, however he is a very risky proposition and there are question marks as to whether he will want the ground even softer.
2 HADFIELD – Running well enough of late, but was a poor 8th of 9 latest at Wetherby weakening pretty tamely (2m, Good). Interesting now upped in trip with the Mulholland team back in form but needs to show more to win this.
3 IN ON THE ACT – Running consistently off late bar a few poor runs and returned this winter with a good 3rd of 7 at Plumpton in an Amateur Rider’s race (2m4f, Good). Has place chances if improving for that return and needs a 2nd look.
4 SOUTHPORT – Won a Maiden Hurdle easy enough at Market Rasen (2m, Good) and improved on that when 2nd in a Novices Hurdle (1m7f, Good) a few weeks ago. Nigel Twiston-Davies is still bang in form and if improving by the same margin he will have a huge chance of going back to back. He has the returning Sam Twiston-Davies aboard and claims are obvious to see, big chance.
5 THE MAD WELL – Versatile sort ground wise and was running well in the summer before a disappointing 12th of 13 at Bellewstown (2m4f, Good). Now with Tim Vaughan which is interesting in itself and if judged on his form earlier this year he has a huge E/W shout in a race like this, although he does look one of the more exposed types in the field.
6 HONEY POUND – Form very patchy for the majority of his career and although running some good races in the summer, he signed off with a poor 11th of 11 at Stratford (2m, Good) when last seen. Returned two weeks ago when always behind and was tailed off when falling 2 out at Wincanton (2m3f, Good). Has a squeak at his best but you’d struggle to back him with any sort of confidence.
7 SUPER SAM – Returned from a near 2 year absence when readily accounting for his rivals at Hereford a week ago (2m3f, Soft). The Venetia William’s yard is starting to get back into the groove now as the ground gets softer and he should well improve for that reappearance and with Charlie Deutsch taking off a useful 5lb, he should be the answer to this contest.
8 RAFAFIE – Interesting judged on his best form, but has been poor lately and pulled up on his latest run in May at Stratford (3m2f, Good to Firm), albeit on ground that was unsuitable, as was the trip. Probably needs the ground softer than it is and therefore passed over today on his reappearance.
9 TIME FOR CHAMPERS – Pulled up on his last 3 runs and hasn’t posted any worthwhile form at his best either, should be well outclassed today.
myracing Forecast Prices: 1/1 Super Sam, 2/1 Southport, 5/1 In On The Act, 8/1 Miles To Milan, 12/1 Hadfield, 14/1 The Mad Well, 14/1 Honey Pound, 16/1 Rafifie, 66/1 Time For Champers