Timeform Daily Race Preview: Thursday 5th March, 2.30, Wincanton

Race of the Day Preview / Editor / 04 March 2009 / Leave a Comment

Ten go to post for The Bathwick Tyres Yeovil Handicap Hurdle - a two-and-three-quarter mile contest open to four-year olds and upwards. Timeform take a close look at the runners...

Thursday's Knight was a winner at Plumpton in November and put in a much improved effort next time, however he wasn't the same force off his higher handicap mark on return from a winter break last month and this looks no easier.

Tim Vaughan's Burgess Hill is a progressive sort who found plenty for pressure to get off the mark at Plumpton in December and bettered that effort when third to Deep Pockets on his latest start. He is entitled to go well again.

Saphire Night shaped better than bare result suggests when fifth in a mares handicap at Hereford on return to action following thirteen and a half months on the sidelines and further improvement is likely for her bang in form yard.

Free To Air needs to brush up on his jumping and there's a fair chance that he'll find himself reasonably handicapped if he does, however a poor run when tried over three miles last time raises stamina doubts for staying contests.

Worbarrow Bay appeared to find two miles an inadequate test on her first two hurdling starts but was never in the hunt when tried over three miles in January. It's too soon to write her off but she faces no easy task on handicap bow.

Sashenka is a front runner who displayed a fine attitude and showed marked improvement when winning under this pilot at Ludlow recently. She escapes a penalty for that success and will be tough to beat.

Anchor Bridge is dropping in the weights but has generally failed to convince since switching to handicaps and blinkers will need to perk him up considerably.

Ruby Crown is proving quite consistent since sent handicapping, having won twice, and gave the impression that this sort of trip was needed at Ludlow last time. She has fair claims if that proves to be the case.

Inn For The Dancer has been running repectably on the Flat but has generally struggled off similar marks over hurdles since winning at Plumpton last spring and has stamina to prove at this longer trip.

Daarth looked much improved when running on through beaten rivals to finish fourth at Newbury in December, however it was highly likely he was flattered and his stamina isn't assured on this first try in handicap.