13:50 Warwick

Tuesday 26 September 2017

All13:5014:2514:5515:3016:0516:35

All New racinguk.com Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 3m 47.6s

Blairs Cove^t¹²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| BF| C

8/13

Irish import who made an excellent hurdling debut at Cheltenham on first start for this stable. A win and a second at this track on his last two outings confirm he is on an upward curve so he has to respected after his break despite his penalty.

Form: 3352-12

Canyon City³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King

28/1

Promising maiden on the Flat for Andre Fabre, but first run for current trainer saw him disappoint under top weight at Chepstow. Tries his hands at hurdling for the first time for a respected yard and is worth noting for any market support.

Form:

Cap Du Nord¹⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D F O'Regan| T: Christian Williams

10/1

Seemed to need the run when pulled up on his debut in an Irish point-to-point, but did much better when second next time. Makes his hurdling debut for a stable which is likely to do well this term and needs a second look.

Form: P2-

Chatelier¹²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater

100/1

Has shown little in a bumper and novice hurdle, but returns after a break and it is early days for him. May do better in time.

Form: 57

Demand Respect¹⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: L Hurley

100/1

Moderate maiden on the Flat when trained by Henry Spiller, he tries his luck over hurdles for a new stable. Breeding does not suggest this sort of trip will help, but the change of discipline might.

Form:

Hidden Oasis³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill

14/1

Fair performer on the Flat when trained in Ireland by David Wachman, but only ordinary efforts on the level for current handler. Shaped well on his hurdling debut at Worcester and normal improvement should seem him figure.

Form: 3

Lexington Law³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

6/1

Showed a decent level of form without winning on the Flat and only outing so far over timber saw him run with promise at Ludlow. Top stable in fine form and very much a player if he improves for the experience of his hurdling bow.

Form: 6-

Sword Of Fate¹⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: T Lacey

7/2

Showed promise in a couple of point-to-points before bolting up in a bumper at Exeter in April. Makes his hurdling debut with the champion jockey on board and has to be afforded maximum respect.

Form: U31-

Wenceslaus²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum McKinnes⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D G Bridgwater

100/1

Not much to shout about in two bumper efforts, but probably ran into an above-average sort when a distant fourth on his hurdling debut at Southwell. Needs to step up considerably to figure.

Form: 584

Balmont Belle¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: B Leavy

100/1

Won over 1m on the Flat in Ireland in 2013, but has failed to hit the frame for her current yard. Has her first shot at hurdling and it will need to inspire her to greater heights if she is to strike a blow.

Form:

Eastern Lady^t⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Benjamin Poste⁽³⁾| T: R J Price

100/1

Has run eight times on the Flat without winning and has a falling handicap mark. Needs to show much more on her hurdling debut if she is to make an impact.

Form:

Simply Business^h¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 86

33/1

Three starts over hurdles have revealed only limited ability. Can race keenly and wears a hood, and the suspicion lurks that she may be better suited to handicaps.

Form: 844

Forecasts

Blairs Cove (8/13), Sword Of Fate (7/2), Lexington Law (6/1), Cap Du Nord (10/1), Hidden Oasis (14/1), Canyon City (28/1), Simply Business (33/1), Eastern Lady (100/1), Chatelier (100/1), Demand Respect (100/1), Wenceslaus (100/1), Balmont Belle (100/1)

An interesting novice hurdle in which Blairs Cove clearly sets the standard. He may have been freshened up by his short break and won't be shrugged off easily despite conceding weight all round. Lexington Law represents top connections and has to be taken into consideration, while Hidden Oasis made a pleasing debut and is respected along with point-to-pointer Cap Du Nord. However, preference is for SWORD OF FATE, who impressed when winning a bumper at Exeter and showed enough promise in point-to-points to suggest jumping hurdles won't be an issue. The booking of a top jockey only increases confidence.