12:15 Cheltenham

Sunday 1 January 2017

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:40

Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 12:15 | Winning time: 5m 12.2s

Pingshou²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 133

6/1

Ran a very promising race at Newbury on hurdles debut when fourth to the useful Jenkins. That promise was backed up with a win last time out at Cheltenham over shorter but he looks a stayer in the making and deserves a chance in this better company.

Form: 8/41401

Baden²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132

9/1

Took a while to get off the mark over hurdles when winning at Wetherby last month (odds-on favourite). Stayed on to lead close home and takes a move back up in grade here. Will need to find some more improvement to win this.

Form: 5-351P0

Report To Base²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Paul Moloney| T: Evan Williams| OR: 135

10/1

A winning pointer who on his Rules form looks a progressive individual with a win on debut at Uttoxeter and improving again to take second at Bangor. Looks as though he'll be suited by this increased trip and can continue his upward curve here.

Form: 1-12

Joe Farrell³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: D N Russell| T: Miss R Curtis

14/1

Winner in bumpers and made a winning debut over hurdles at Ffos Las winning by 5 lengths. Well fancied in the market last time out in a tougher grade and ran well below his previous form; needs to bounce back here.

Form: 127/1-17

Sumkindofking²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George

5/1

Has won in points, bumpers and over hurdles (on debut) at Southwell. Has work to do with Pingshou on their form here earlier in the month although he did shape better than his final placing and possibly found the race coming a little soon. The type to thrive over this trip and well worth another chance.

Form: 31-117

Cheltenam De Vaige¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David England| T: G R I Smyly

150/1

Plenty of work to do with this field on what he's shown so far. Started at 50/1 and 150/1 for his two hurdles starts and the handicap route holds the key to a win for this one.

Form: 30-798

Coo Star Sivola⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Nick Williams| OR: 134

9/2

Still a maiden but has form to win a race such as this especially if he runs to the level of his third in the Fred Winter at the Festival. Ran well in the Persian War at Chepstow in his seasonal reappearance but was well held when having a stiff test in France last time out.

Form: 7/233-28

Minotaur²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill

8/1

Useful flat performer in France and won at Listed level. Looks an interesting recruit to hurdling although he'll need to learn from his initial experience when second at Aintree in early December. Could figure but will need to jump and settle better than he did at Aintree to take a hand here.

Form: 27-

Poetic Rhythm²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

4/1

Useful bumper horse with two wins to his name in that sphere, the best a Listed event at Cheltenham in November. Shaped with plenty of promise on his hurdling debut at Cheltenham in December behind Pingshou in a race that contained four other last time out winners. Will enjoy a crack at this trip and looks one who is likely to improve again.

Form: U1-5115

Steel Bob¹²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N P Madden| T: H Fry

16/1

Makes his hurdles debut here for a new yard after wins in Irish points and bumpers. Won his six-runner bumper in impressive style but has been set a tough task on his hurdling debut.

Form: 1/1P-4

Non-Runners

Dashing Oscar²⁹

Weight: 11-10| Age: 7

T: H Fry J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Poetic Rhythm (4/1), Coo Star Sivola (9/2), Sumkindofking (5/1), Dashing Oscar (5/1), Pingshou (6/1), Minotaur (8/1), Baden (9/1), Report To Base (10/1), Joe Farrell (14/1), Steel Bob (16/1), Cheltenam De Vaige (150/1)

Pingshou has already beaten a couple of these over shorter in early December and his chance is an obvious one here especially as he hails from a yard that can do little wrong at the moment. However, he does have to give weight away around to all bar one of his rivals here and that may just tip the scales in their favour. COO STAR SIVOLA is the obvious one to take advantage if he can repeat his Fred Winter third or his second in the Persian War, both of those pieces of form would be good enough to take this. Report To Base looks a useful type despite his defeat last time out and he should be kept onside here along with Sumkindofkingand Poetic Rhythm; both of whom have room for improvement after leaving the impression better was to come last time out. 1. Coo Star Sivola 2. Report To Base 3. Pingshou