Coral Racing Club Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Registered As The Gerry Feilden) (Premier Handicap) (Class 1) 14.15 Newbury:
Indemnity has shown marked progress since switching to hurdles, powering home to claim a convincing victory at Sandown last month where he quickened sharply despite a steady pace.
The five-year-old handles softer surfaces with aplomb, having scored on good to soft earlier in the season, and his fluent jumping should hold up around this galloping track.
Trainer Miss E C Lavelle has him in peak condition following a recent workout, and Gavin Sheehan retains the ride with his impeccable timing in handicaps.
He carries a lenient burden here and brings the class to challenge strongly if the race develops to suit.
Indeevar Bleu impressed on his handicap bow at Ayr in March, battling back to score gamely on good to soft despite hanging under pressure, hinting at untapped potential.
The six-year-old relishes cut in the ground, with both his wins this term on soft, and trainer Olly Murphy reports him thriving after a summer freshen-up.
This stiffer test could unlock more from him, especially with Sean Bowen aboard to navigate any traffic, and his scope suggests further improvement.
Give It To Me Oj arrives on a hat-trick after a dominant display at Cheltenham last month, where he travelled powerfully before asserting with authority on soft ground.
The four-year-old has won six of his last eight starts, including course-and-distance honours here on heavy, confirming his love for testing conditions and this sharp circuit.
Trainer Gary & Josh Moore have him spot-on, with Caoilin Quinn’s claim a bonus, and his relentless finishing kick looks a major asset in a big field.
Viyanni caught the eye on his return at Ascot in October, making smooth headway before staying on stoutly to finish third behind subsequent Grade Two winner Lulamba on good to soft.
The four-year-old is lightly raced over hurdles with two prior successes, and he acts well on soft, having won comfortably at Market Rasen in similar.
Trainer Harry Derham, enjoying a fine season, has targeted this for his progressive charge, and Paul O’Brien’s tactical acumen should help him get a prominent position.
Live Conti makes his handicap debut after a fine second in Grade One company at Aintree in April, where he quickened smartly on good to soft before just being outstayed.
The four-year-old brings superior juvenile form to this company and handles give in the ground effortlessly, with trainer Dan Skelton freshening him up nicely for the switch to handicaps.
Tristan Durrell takes the mount, and his bold-jumping style could see him dictate from the front on this flatter track.
Last Rodeo shaped with promise on his chasing bow at Chepstow in October, jumping boldly in behind before fading, suggesting the switch will suit in time.
The six-year-old has a solid record on soft, including a win at Ffos Las last winter, and trainer Christian Williams has him primed after a pipe-opener.
Jack Tudor knows him inside out, and dropping back to hurdles with cut underfoot could coax a career-best effort.
Hot Fuss reverted to form with a battling third at Chepstow on heavy last month, staying on relentlessly after a tardy start to close on the leaders.
The four-year-old took well to hurdling last term, filling fourth in the Fred Winter on soft at Cheltenham off a similar mark, and trainer Tom Dascombe has him in rude health post a Flat outing.
David Bass’s strong finish on him previously adds appeal, and the softer ground should enable a bold showing.
Simulations Results:
The outcomes for the top eight: Indemnity (17%), Indeevar Bleu (15%), Give It To Me OJ (14%), Viyanni (13%), Live Conti (12%), Hot Fuss (11%), Last Rodeo (9%), Tutti Quanti (8%).
The other runners divided the remainder at reduced likelihoods.
Best bet: Indemnity, whose upward trajectory and ground affinity position him as the standout.
Value selection: Hot Fuss at 12/1 provides excellent upside, with the model equating to fair odds of 8/1 given his resurgence on testing terrain.
