14:20 Ffos Las

Wednesday 1 March 2017

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

Hugh James Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 19.65s

Bob Mahler²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 124

4/11

Made the frame in each of his three outings to date including behind the classy Neon Wolf in a bumper on debut at Uttoxeter. Form of his most recent third boosted when the runner-up was successful on handicap debut at the weekend and likely to go well here.

Form: 333U

Gask Ridge⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: D N Russell| T: Paul Morgan

20/1

Signs of promise on rules debut (fell twice in point-to-points) at Market Rasen in July but well held on soft ground in three novice hurdles including under today's top jockey on penultimate start. Likely to do better in time.

Form: 00933-6

Pull The Trigger¹⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan

33/1

Finished runner-up in a weak looking maiden point-to-point in June and well beaten in a four runner bumper on rules debut at Fontwell in August. Returns from a break here but looks up against it on hurdling debut.

Form: 24

Swift Crusador⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

3/1

Finished runner-up to a useful rival on penultimate start in point-to-point's last October and went one better the following month. Is a half-brother to the listed winning hurdler Golden Bay and is an interesting purchase for these connections.

Form: U2-21

Jaunty Clementine²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: T E Whelan| T: B Eckley

25/1

Started 200/1 for both hurdles outings to date and not without promise when hampered on latest outing on soft ground at Ludlow. Likely to appreciate this step up in trip but will probably fair better in handicap company.

Form: 60

Strangsmill²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: Sheila Lewis

33/1

Point-to-point winner at Kinsale in June but pulled up on heavy ground on debut under rules for this yard a month ago and probably best watched at present.

Form: F1P423-

We'll Be There¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: David Noonan⁽³⁾| T: W S Kittow

50/1

Stepped up on her initial rules effort (pulled up at Taunton in January) when a well beaten third at Wincanton a month ago, signs of promise on that occasion but a bit to do with a couple of these.

Form: 6/P322

Non-Runners

Hogan's Height¹³⁴

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: Jamie Snowden J: Nick Scholfield

Forecasts

Bob Mahler (4/11), Swift Crusador (3/1), Hogan's Height (13/2), Gask Ridge (20/1), Jaunty Clementine (25/1), Strangsmill (33/1), Pull The Trigger (33/1), We'll Be There (50/1)

This looks a decent opportunity for the thrice placed BOB MAHLER to get off the mark. The selection has encountered some useful opposition thus far in his hurdling career including in a good contest last time out and he can improve on his yards 25% (9/36) strike rate here. Swift Crusador was a beaten favourite on his first three outings in point-to-points but made no mistake last time out and can claim second for his leading connections while Hogan's Height showed enough last time out to suggest he can claim third on his hurdling bow. 1. Bob Mahler 2. Swift Crusador 3. Hogan's Height