16:10 Uttoxeter

Saturday 18 March 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:50

Betfred 'Racing's Biggest Supporter' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 5m 15.10s

Ballyarthur^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 129

5/2

Weakened near the finish in a Grade 2 last time out but has sound claims back at this level. The drop in trip is also in his favour. Sound claims of bouncing back.

Form: 31/2-24

Eaton Hill²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 126

6/1

Struggled under a penalty last time out and has more on his plate this time around. Trip should suit but wouldn't want too much give under foot.

Form: 2-2213P

Perfect Pirate⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: R P McLernon| T: B Pauling| OR: 127

6/1

Versatile regarding the ground and showed a good attitude to get back on an even keel after a mistake at Kelso last time out. One to consider for the shortlist.

Form: 9

Atirelarigo⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124

15/2

Won at Chepstow in December but has yet to recapture that sort of form. Fell early at Sandown on his penultimate start but it has to be disconcerting that he made mistakes and came down when under pressure at Wetherby last month.

Form: 36F/30-U

Johnny Og^v1²²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: M Keighley| OR: 126

20/1

Likes to race prominently but has been burning himself out recently. No surprise if more patient tactics are employed this time around but he has a bit to prove on the balance of his overall form.

Form: 99PPP6-

Looksabitlikebrian

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Alan Johns⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan

50/1

Related a winner or two but probably faces too tough a test in this company for his racecourse debut.

Form: P-

Minella Style¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King

14/1

Won a point-to-point over 3m and has adapted well to racing under rules. Was one-paced when headed last time out but was far from disgraced in defeat. May do better over slightly further in time, though.

Form: P/1323-5

Rock My Style²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 123

9/4

Another from the point-to-point field that holds ability but may have to wait until stepping up considerably in trip and tacking fences before we see the best from him.

Form: 2-322

Winido¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: C O'Farrell| T: Tim Vaughan

150/1

Not much to enthuse about from recent efforts and difficult to see where the required improvement would come from. Best watched this time around.

Form: 46006P-

Forecasts

Rock My Style (9/4), Ballyarthur (5/2), Perfect Pirate (6/1), Eaton Hill (6/1), Atirelarigo (15/2), Minella Style (14/1), Johnny Og (20/1), Looksabitlikebrian (50/1), Winido (150/1)

A handful of these have long-term potential and it will be interesting to see how the likes of Minella Style, Perfect Pirate and Rock My Style cope with the ground and trip. However, BALLYARTHUR makes the most appeal as an immediate prospect and he gets the nod to lead them home. This is a significantly easier assignment for him than the Grade 2 he contested last time and his class should shine through.