13:40 Stratford
Saturday 1 April 2017
All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:35
J & C Davis Novices' Hurdle (Div 1)
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m 70y  |  Good  |  11 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 13:41Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 3m 48.95s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Needs good ground or better to operate on, so the drying conditions here very much in his favour. Not seen out since finishing fourth at Fontwell in September (possibly feeling the effects of a busy summer) but has been found a good opportunity to get back to winning ways here.
Hasn't shown enough in three starts to make him of interest here, and needs this for a handicap mark. Yard still very quiet as well.
Needs the first-time tongue tie to have a major effect, as he's been well beaten on both starts, although not totally disgraced at Huntingdon last time. Will want further in time but may challenge for the places here.
Some form in maiden point-to-points this winter winning one at Tinahely in January but will surely want further than this trip on his Rules debut and might find thiungs happening a bit quickly for him.
Has shown next to nothing in three runs so far, finishing last at Chepstow on most recent start. Likely better ground here may help but still too much to prove.
Only made a 7/2 chance on debut at Ffos Las and although well beaten, showed a bit of ability, and not disgraced again when fourth at Hereford on latest start. Has moved to new yard who know the time of day, but still best watched on hurdles debut.
Go back to 2014 and he was only getting beaten two lengths by Yanworth in a Newbury bumper. Only seen twice since then and didn't really shown enough at Hereford in November when last seen, but interesting that connections are persevering and there may be better to come.
Only moderate on the flat and never really looked like winning a race in seven starts. Possible stamina issues as well and can't be taken as a likely winner.
Fair on the flat and almost won a handicap at Navan for Andrew Oliver in October, beaten the minimum margin, and has shown the ability is still there in two runs for new yard. Pedigree hardly screams stamina but still one of the more interesting ones on hurdles debut.
Not beaten far in a bumper at Lingfield (on the Equitrack) in Febuary but well beaten on hurdles debut at Market Rasen a fortnight ago. Better ground may help here but more likely winners.
Already beaten at selling level last year and hasn't shown enough in two runs in March to make her of interest here. Yard still to catch fire as they invariably do in the spring as well.
Forecasts
Rabunda (9/4), Excellent Team (11/4), Dark Mahler (11/4), Green Or Black (8/1), Don't Act Up (8/1), Petiville (20/1), Miss Williams (66/1), A L'asseau (100/1), Kristal Star (150/1), Norse Castle (150/1), Jamesgiftkeysandal (250/1)
This wouldn't quite be a penalty kick for EXCELLENT TEAM as he's thrown away similar opportunities in the past, but a sharp two miles on decent ground is what he requires and he should be too good for these if on song after a break. Green Or Black will be more than capable of giving him a race if he can jump fluently on his hurdles debut and looks an interesting newcomer to the jumping game. Rabunda has a bit to prove now but the fact he's kept in training suggests all is not lost.
- Excellent Team
- Green Or Black
- Rabunda
Prize Money
1st: £4,549.002nd: £1,336.003rd: £668.004th: £334.00
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