A field of seven makes this a nightmare for each way backers in the fifth race of teh day at Ffos Las on Wednesday, see our betting tips and he full race preview below.
IN SUMMARY: In front when coming down on his latest chasing start, MAXANISI was showing clear signs he was getting his act together over the larger obstacles and is well handicapped on his hurdling form for Evan Williams. A lightly raced seven year old with only seven rules starts under his belt, this useful hurdler is almost certainly capable of better over fences and if provided with a clear round off a mark of 119, he looks to be a very potent threat under Adam Wedge and can notch up his third victory with conditions to suit. Johns Luck is likely to be a big danger as he arrives in brilliant form, with the jockey booking of Davy Russell a very interesting run.
1 BATAVIR – In good form at present over further trips, finishing a close second at Catterick in February (3m 1f, Soft) and he has been dropped a pound in the handicap since then. Clearly has potential in this sphere after only three runs and this heavier ground is unlikely to be an issue. Dropping in trip may well suit on the back of his latest run and the David Pipe yard are running well at present with several winners in recent times, with David Noonan claiming 3lb. is chasing mark is 5lb below his hurdling one so better can be expected yet and he has to be respected as a likely contender.
2 MISTER GREZ – Out of form over hurdles this season but he put in an improved effort when second at Leciester in early February, albeit beaten a long, long way behind the winner (2m 4f, Good to Soft). Now 6lb below his last winning mark over fences and heavier ground is likely to seem him in a good light which does certainly make him interesting, and if he was to get back to form he’s well handicapped to run a big race for Dan Skelton. Bridget Andrews takes off a useful 3lb and he looks likely to throw down a big challenge today, respected.
3 MAXANISI – Lightly raced seven year old for Evan Williams who was useful at his best over hurdles, finishing a good second at Chepstow in March 2016 when last seen in that discipline. Over fences, he was finally getting his act together on his latest start at Hereford, taking an unfortunate tumble when leading (3m 1f, Heavy). If building on that form with a clear round, he’d have a very obvious chance off a mark of 119 which is 4lb below his hurdling one with conditions to suit. Has to be respected as if at his best, he’s dangerous off this mark.
4 HURRY HENRY – Hurdle winner at Naas when with Henry De Bromhead back in January (2m, Heavy) but he has shown very little since then after being set some pretty tough tests thus far over fences. He was last seen over these obstacles when pulled at Cork in January and has since switched yards to Brian Barr, where he was set an impossible task in the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown (1m 7f, Heavy). Ground is to suit but that is one of the only positives that can be drawn and he is likely best left alone today.
5 HENLLAN HARRI – One of the more experienced over fences with nine runs under his belt, and he certainly didn’t run a bad race at Plumpton on his penultimate start in January (3m 1f, Soft). He did however disappoint on his latest start when fifth and well beaten at Doncaster in January (2m 7f, Good), but he is better than that and does remain with potential. Dropping back in trip isn’t certain to suit though and others do make more appeal with all things considered.
6 JOHNS LUCK – In brilliant form at present for the in form Neil Mulholland team, winning three starts ago here over C&D in November and despite a 5lb rise he went back to back at Plumpton a month later (2m 3f, Soft). Raised a further 3lb, he was far from disgraced when second at Hungtindon in February behind an improver (2m 3f, Good) and he himself remains with potential in this sphere. Heavy ground is no problem as he has won on it in the past and another bold can be expected off the same mark of his latest run. Davy Russell is an interesting jockey booking and he has to be respected.
7 TRIPTICO – Eleven year old who is very lightly raced for his age, but has shown very little this season to suggest he will be threatening today. Returning from a long absence when well beaten at Uttoxeter in December (2m 4f, Soft), he didn’t build on that when slumping to another heavy defeat at Segefield two weeks ago, weakening very tamely out of contention(2m 5f, Heavy). He makes little to no appeal today and is likely best left alone.