Timeform Daily: totesport.com Handicap Hurdle (Group 3), Sunday June 21, 3.50

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 20 June 2009 / Leave a Comment

Eight start this one on Sunday afternoon at Hexham. Timeform talk us through their prospects.

Pontop's tendency to hang left arguably cost him victory here last time over two-and-a-half miles, but if he is less wayward here he could gain compensation, even though he drops back four furlongs in trip. There should be more to come from the rejuvenated Acambo off his current mark, while Woody Valentine could also pose a threat.

Acambo won the Swinton Hurdle and the Ladbroke in 2006, but injury problems led to an eleven-month break. He was back to form when a two mile handicap hurdle winner last time and is still well-treated.

Wikaala was successful on the Flat and is a capable maiden hurdler. He was improving with every run in the latter sphere until below his best last time. Possible the two-and-a-half mile trip stretched him that day and a return to two miles should suit.

Bohemian Spirit is a useful winning hurdler/handicap chaser. He left Nicky Richards and was off for eighteen months when well held over hurdles at Kelso in May. He tends to sweat and race keenly so is hard to make a case for at present.

Calculaite is a fair handicap hurdler who bounced back to his best on return from a seven month absence to win a handicap at Sedgefield last time. He may not relish this stiffer track though, and a 9 lb rise is another negative.

Hello Nod is a capable gelding who has failed to match his hurdling form since being switched to fences on his last three starts. He reverts to the smaller obstacles again here, but often finishes weakly and with the hill to climb here could be in trouble.

Pontop improved for the switch to handicaps when a two mile winner at Newcastle in March, and produced a career best second here last time, looking set to win until hanging left. He looks to have a first-rate chance here.

Woody Valentine has looked revitalised for his present yard, winning three selling hurdles, then a handicap chase at Sedgefield last month. He remained in form over fences on his last two starts and there is no reason why he won't go well back over hurdles.

Horses To Avoid

Seaway was progressive when trained by John Gosden as a juvenile and a promising first season culminated in an excellent second to Free Agent in the Chesham. He finished lame after that outing and has since been transferred to the care of Godolphin and in two runs this season has looked a shadow of his former self. Admittedly his two starts, for which he was favourite for both, over the trip of a mile may well have stretched the stamina of Seaway, but he was struggling a long way out when tried tongue tied at York last time and he looks best avoided on recent evidence.