Destroyer Deployed, the key player in Newbury’s Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (Series Qualifier)
A close contest was seen between Benbane Head and Destroyer Deployed at Towcester earlier this month, when the former narrowly took the victory. A similar outcome is unlikely in Newbury’s Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (Series Qualifier) this Friday, because the
situation is entirely different.
Destroyer Deployed has now plenty going for him. Stepping back up to three miles and the fitting of a visor could help Tim Vaughan´s gelding take the honours this time. The 6-year-old has performed well at the top levels in the past.
The Craftsmen-owned, who was a Champion Bumper runner-up a couple of seasons ago, did a wonderful job in 2011. After securing his first win at Towcester, he carried forward the terrific momentum, and won the Translloyd Group Supports The Racehorse Sanctuary
Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race at Fontwell.
Bred by A. W. Buller, the son of Deploy registered his third triumph in March 2012, when seizing the first place only by a neck’s distance at Southwell. His latest defeat at the hands of Benbane Head was just a matter of luck.
In the Agetur UK Handicap Hurdle, he missed the second place only by a short head’s distance, and was third just by three quarters of a length.
Benbane Head will not be an easy nut to crack. The 8-year-old could not do anything special last time, but the sweet memories of his Towcester success are still fresh. There are a few things going against him, so nothing more than a calculated risk is recommended.
Including these two old rivals, seventeen horses have entered the big meeting. The competition will be for a handy prize of £8,758. Over a distance of three miles and 110 yards, the contestants will start showing their magic at 14:40 GMT.
Curtain Razer might improve for switch to handicaps, but still there are a few more fascinating options around. Duke Of Monmouth still has low mileage, and can build on the Warwick triumph.
According to our calculations, the biggest danger to Destroyer Deployed is Ballybough Pat, who was runner-up in Grade 2 last time. The Anthony Honeyball-trained is not fully exposed, and should be in the mix.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.com’s editorial policy.
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