14:40 Newbury

Friday 3 March 2017

All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2016:5517:25

RR Elite 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 5m 15.10s

Benatar²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 128

13/8

Exciting prospect who won his debut under Rules after a point-to-point success before being thrown in at the deep end last time in a Listed contest. Still performed with credit there and this looks easier so ought to give another good account with the yard in good form.

Form: 11

Le Breuil¹¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling

15/8

Appreciated the step up in trip last time and stayed on strongly towards the finish. The second from that race has come out and won twice since, with the third also winning. He has two Grade 1 entries for the festival and he will be hard to beat if ready to go after an absence.

Form: 1411P

First Du Charmil²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: T Lacey

6/1

Had clearly shown something to go off favourite for a Southwell bumper on his debut but could only manage fourth place, though he bettered that effort by finishing a decent third over 2m (heavy) at Towcester on his hurdles bow. Step up in trip should see him in a better light and holds place claims.

Form: 4-

Midnight Merlot³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Ian Popham| T: Noel Williams

25/1

Failed to sparkle in bumpers but probably showed more promise than the bare form suggests when beaten 30L behind Ballyarthur in testing conditions at Leicester (2m4f) on his hurdling debut. Likely to improve with that experience to draw on but will certainly need to.

Form: 80-438

Walter Oneeightone¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill

50/1

Hard to glean much short-term encouragement from what he has shown in two maiden hurdle events to date, most recently over 2m5f (soft) at Ludlow last month. Will almost certainly do better with time but hard to fancy for now, despite trainer enjoying a purple patch (21.74% in last 14 days).

Form: 99796

Winido²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan

66/1

Some promise on bumper debut but shown very little since, tailed off on three subsequent starts. Hard to fancy for the time being.

Form: 46006P-

Woodfort¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: William Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126

4/1

Never got going when unseating his rider at the second last time but not without market support there. Drop back in trip doesn't look an obvious positive and yard have gone unusually quiet. (0-27 in last 14 days).

Form: 32U334-

Betterlatethanneva¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dickin

100/1

Point-to-point winner who showed signs of ability in bumpers during the summer, particularly when runner-up at Uttoxeter, but very little to enthuse over in two starts over hurdles so far. Longer trip should help but others preferred.

Form: 779538-

Non-Runners

Doolin¹¹⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: C J Mann J: D A Jacob

Forecasts

Benatar (13/8), Le Breuil (15/8), Woodfort (4/1), First Du Charmil (6/1), Midnight Merlot (25/1), Doolin (25/1), Walter Oneeightone (50/1), Winido (66/1), Betterlatethanneva (100/1)

Le Breull will probably prove hard to beat but it's possible he may not be fully tuned up for this so the value may lie with BENATAR who will no doubt find this easier than the Listed contest he tried last time and his yard has hit something of a purple patch in recent weeks. First Du Charmill should enjoy the step up in trip and may be able to grab a place. 1. Benatar 2. Le Breuil 3. First Du Charmil