The Greatwood handicap Hurdle 131111

Very nice race for the future and one to thrill today - quite like the chances of a few of them of course but there is always a springer in the market right at the death - am siding with Moores Via Galilei for the win and place market - was impressed with its run at Ascot against Brampour -- will be looking for a big run from the outsider Oldfi for the place market  - Via Galilei looking sweaty and unhappy in parade

edit - Looking at the horses in the parade am taken by the tizzard horse as well looks splendid and on its toes looked a little weak last time but have added it as one to watch for a bet in running - Third Intention


WHAT A TRUE RUN RACE -- IF YOUR NOT IMPRESSED WITH THE FIRST FOUR YOUR NOT INTERESTED IN RACING  had asked for 14s in running  Bampour and got it at the off -- these will go on for this and have to be festival runners for your notebook
A highly competitive edition of this valuable handicap hurdle, which has had Grade 3 status since 2004. The pace was strong and this looks very solid form.

Five of the first eight home in Ascot´s Listed williamhill.com Handicap Hurdle a fortnight ago reopposed and the form was upheld asBRAMPOUR followed up in good style. Raised 10lb for his Ascot win, he was settled in midfield and still had nine horses in front of him turning for home, but made rapid headway to lead at the last and came away fora comfortable success. A breathing operation over the summer has been the making of him and there could be more improvement to come.

This race has not proved a bad Champion Hurdle trial and his price for the big one was cut to 20-1 by sponsors Stan James. Rooster Booster won the Champion Hurdle the season he won this while 2009 Greatwood winner Khyber Kim was runner-up in the Champion Hurdle and Osana was second in both races. Brampour holds an engagement in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle this month but is more likely to wait for the International Hurdle back here in December, a race Detroit City, Khyber Kim and Menorah all followed up in after winning this. It remains to be seen if he will prove as effective in a smaller field.

Olofi finishedfifth in this last season and was 2lb lower this time round despite a promising reappearance in France. He was never far from the pace and, one of several caught up in scrimmaging as the leading group jostled for position approaching the last, he ran on strongly against the stands´ rail up the hill. He was fitted with cheekpieces and a tongue tie for the first time.

Abergavenny, another never far from the gallop, was briefly in second place on the run-in and emerges with lots of credit. Unbeaten in three novice hurdles in the spring before a couple of runs on the Flat, he is a stablemate of Bothy, another inexperienced hurdler who was runner-up in this last year.

The Galway Hurdle winner Moon Dice has a fine record when fresh and he made a bold bid to follow up. Racing with a low head carriage, he had worked his way back into the picture when he was chopped for room on the outside on the run to the final flight, causing Tom Doyle to switch him right across to the inner. He ran on up the hill but the lost momentum probably cost him second place.

Viva Colonia was held up right out the back and still had a lot of horses in front of him turning for home, but he began to motor on the inside from there and ran on strongly up the hill. He was up in grade and this was a good run.

Runner-up to Brampour at Ascot and 2lb better off with him here, Via Galilei ran another sound race, but this 8lb higher mark did not aid his cause. The ground will be turning against him soon.

Another to come out of the Ascot race, Third Intention took a narrow lead on the home turn but went through the last and weakened up the hill. There is a nice race to be won with him one day.

Top weights have a good record in this and Sanctuaire, the winner´s stablemate, ran with credit. A very tricky individual, he was suited by being held up off the strong pace and was still going well down to the second-last. He soon came off the bridle, but was staying on up the hill without looking likely to get to the leaders. He is in the Fighting Fifth.

The Irish-trained Inspector Clouseau was never seen with a chance but he was staying on well on the flat and could be the type for the Coral Cup in March.

The third´s stablemate Ultimate, a novice chase winner last time, ran a bold race and only gave way approaching the last.

Pateese looked a worthy favourite as the 5lb penalty for his easy Sandown win left him 10lb ahead of the handicapper, while his trainer has a fine record in this race. He was always towards the fore and had every chance, but was under pressure when short of room going to the last and weakened quickly up the hill. Things will obviously be tougher off his new mark, but softer ground will suit him.

Jack Cool, who had the customary cheekpieces back on, became warm in the preliminaries. Third to Friday´s good winner Steps To Freedom last time, he was in the firing line all the way until fading from the last.

Another from the Philip Hobbs yard, Alazan was trotted up down at the start and was never seen with a chance, but stablemateNearby ran well for a long way and was another caught up in the trouble running down to the last.

The Betchworth Kid, an unpredictable character,was never sighted but did finish well, while Topolski, such a good novice in the spring but last in Brampour´s Ascot race, made an early blunder and was one of the first beaten. A Media Luz was withdrawn at the start after playing up, and may have been coming into season.[RL]

QUOTES: Brampour´s trainer Paul Nicholls: "I´ve got to step him up in class now. He´s in the Fighting Fifth but I´m going to run Celestial Halo in that so he could come back here for the Bula. There´s nothing to lose. Harry couldn´t claim in that but I don´t think he´ll worry too much if Ruby takes over."


 1 Brampour 12/1
2 Olofi 8/1
3 Abergavenny 28/1
4 Moon Dice 11/2