Timeform Select Extract - Handicappers' Corner

Timeform / Timeform / 20 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

Pride of Dulcote, Deuteronomy and Ballydub's latest performances are assessed by Timeform.

Pride of Dulcote (Timeform Rating 140p) won't have gone unnoticed by many given the painful consequences which his fall at Cheltenham on Saturday had for jockey Ruby Walsh (suffered ruptured spleen), but it is worth stressing his official mark had looked lenient prior to the race and will certainly remain so. Jumping had often let Pride of Dulcote down last season, and so it proved again as he came down two out when making headway from off the pace travelling best of all; it was a fair way from home, but, given he stays three miles so well, it's hard to believe he wouldn't have won had he stood up. Pride of Dulcote had looked much improved on his reappearance when routing dual bumper winner Little Josh by 24 lengths in a maiden at Chepstow, and he's one to keep on the right side with further improvement expected as well after only seven starts over hurdles. Trainer: P. F. Nicholls.

Deuteronomy (Timeform Rating c97, h73) has already proved himself markedly better over fences than he was hurdles, and he continued his progress following a seven-month absence when beaten only a head by Chigorin at Wetherby, the pair a dozen lengths clear of Eborarry. Whilst his only win to date came over the same trip of two-and-a-half miles, Deuteronomy shaped at Wetherby as if a step up in distance could bring about further progress from him and, though he faces a hike in the weights for drawing away from the rest, there's enough about him to suggest he'll be up to overcoming his new mark.Trainer: J. Wade.

Ballydub (Timeform Rating 133p) was having only his second start over hurdles, and only third in all outside points, when chasing home Punchestowns in the 21 furlong handicap at Cheltenham last weekend and is very much one to follow. After making a promising debut in bumpers when second to now-useful novice hurdler Alderluck at Plumpton for Henrietta Knight, Ballydub (pictured above) joined his current stable for £65,000 and wasted no time recouping some of that outlay in a good novice hurdle at Newbury, proving too strong for subsequent-winner Canalturn with the pair some 24 lengths clear of the remainder. His Cheltenham effort was all the more promising, backed into favourite in a 19-strong field and fairly powering up the hill in pursuit of the eased-down winner despite having made several mistakes, the pair sure to have put more distance between themselves and the rest under different circumstances. Three miles will suit him, though he isn't in need of it, and he's a banker to win a good handicap or two this season before going on to better things. Trainer: P. J. Hobbs