Warwick - Wednesday 4th June 2025
SAINT BIBIANA escapes a penalty having bolted up in a conditional riders' event at Huntingdon recently and she'll be a tough nut to crack if turning up in a similar vein of form. Hostile Hotelier reverts to hurdles following a couple of creditable efforts over the larger obstacles and is the main threat. Royal Rhythm is most appealing of the remainder.
Dan Skelton boasts a 21-percent strike-rate at this venue which could be improved further courtesy of ICE IN THE VEINS. The five-year-old landed a bumper at Worcester last month and further success might be on the cards here. One Cool Dreamer achieved a peak rating of 73 on the Flat so would have a real chance if taking to this new discipline, and Belcamo can't be overlooked either.
An open contest in which a chance can be taken on RED PANDA. The daughter of Sir Percy was beaten 26 lengths on her return to action last month but that effort wasn't devoid of promise. She still has few miles on the clock and the addition of first-time cheekpieces could work the oracle now back in a handicap. Definite Dream hasn't been seen since New Years' Eve but had been knocking at the door prior to that absence. Byzantium is another to consider.
SHADOWS IN THE SKY has been a revelation since joining the James Owen stable, and stepping up in trip could bring about further improvement from the nine-year-old. Placed on two of her three outings since scoring at Stratford last October, Harrys Hope must enter calculations, along with Redbridge Rambler, who is best judged on his victory at Chepstow two starts ago.
THERAPIST was value for much more than the winning margin suggests after stumbling at the last and hanging left at Straford last month. A 5lb rise for that success could prove lenient, and she can land the hat-trick ahead of Soleil D'arizona, who has done well since having wind surgery but was well held in second over C&D most recently. Blazeon Five has yet to put it together since joining this yard, but she cannot be ruled out at this level.
OKAVANGO DELTA scored comfortably at Worcester last time out and a 4lb rise may not be enough to prevent the nine-year-old from making it three wins in four starts. Runner-up at Stratford last time out, Fancy Stuff is a key player, while the same can be said of Theonlywayiswessex, who has strong claims on the best on his form from last season.
SAINT BIBIANA has proven consistent in this discipline and boasts an excellent strike rate which she is expected to improve upon further here. Though she got first run last time it arguably came in a stronger race than this and she escapes a penalty for that victory. She can see of the similarly consistent Hostile Hotelier who will appreciate the return from chasing and the unreliable Royal Rhythm who is still unexposed as a stayer. He was still going ok when coming down here last time.
The clear pick here is recent bumper winner ICE IN THE VEINS who overcame a troubled passage when justifying strong support that day. The good ground will suit and he can make a winning hurdles debut at the expense of One Cool Dreamer who was a dual 10f on the flat last summer and starts out over hurdles for a yard with a fine record with similar types. Jefe Triunfo was too bad to be true on hurdle debut but holds fair claims if back to the level of his bumper win.
An open race which could go to DEFINITE DREAM who arrives in form and isn't fully exposed. It's worth marking up her latest run where she travelled strongly but hit the front too soon off a strong pace so she is taken to defy a 1lb higher mark. Byzantium hails from a top stable and was in good form until disappointing last time when too keen. He has slight stamina concerns up in trip but can threaten if seeing it out. Longstanding maiden Stiletto has been struggling in both codes of late but is dropping in the weights and isn't ruled out with Bowen booked.
Though SHADOWS IN THE SKY was turned over at short odds on his follow up attempt he still looks well treated off just 1lb higher with a useful claimer up. He's unexposed for his current stable and if his stamina holds up he ought to go close. Mrs Tabitha is yet to win in this sphere but her latest effort is worth marking up as she did the donkey work trying to chase down an all the way progressive winner. This track could suit and she may be the biggest danger ahead of Harrys Hope who returned to form over hurdles last time. That rival has a good strike rate in this sphere after a productive summer.
THERAPIST is expected to confirm recent form with Princess T and complete a hat trick. Though that rival has slipped in the weights and did concede first run the last day it could be a similar story here looking at the make up of the race. The other horse in that contest has won since making the 5lb rise for the selection look lenient. Soleil D'Arizona was too keen in front on her handicap debut but could get an easy time of it here. If doing so she will be tough to peg back and represents the biggest danger here.
FANCY STUFF returned to form when stepped back up in trip last time coming clear with an unexposed winner and can add to last summer's victories if in the same form here under the assistance of Sean Bowen. Isocrate is yet to fire over fences but he did show minor promise on debut and has slipped to an attractive mark on his chase form. He finally steps up to a suitable trip and could be the main danger ahead of the progressive Okavango Delta who was aided by a late faller last time and may struggle to follow up off this revised mark.
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