14:45 Carlisle

Thursday 19 October 2017

All14:1014:4515:1515:4516:2016:5017:25

Watch Racing UK On BT TV Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 4m 51.98s

Absolute Power²⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonathan Moore| T: Miss R Curtis

4/1

Placed on both starts in bumpers, including when headed inside the final half furlong on debut at Chepstow (December 2016) when beaten 2¼L by Caderyn. Likely contender on hurdles debut and seasonal reappearance.

Form: 23-

Apollo Creed²⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

11/2

Related to a 2m4f hurdles winner, so will most likely appreciate this step up in trip on hurdles debut. Brought along slowly in bumpers, but definite signs of improvement when a 4L runner up to Tikkanbar at Hereford in February (2m heavy).

Form: 62-

Count Meribel¹⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: M D Grant| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 124

13/8

An eight race maiden, but with a number of near misses on his CV (bumpers and over hurdles). Consistent and sets the benchmark in novice company being rated in the 120's, and beaten just a neck by Sir Mangan at Ffos Las in April (2m4f good).

Form: 233222-

Quietly¹⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 122

9/4

Solid enough since sent hurdling, meeting a number of useful rivals including Kelka (Hexham), Baden (Wetherby) and Catchamat (Newcastle), so probably done as well as could be expected. Stays further, and should be thereabouts.

Form: 9/23U32-

Valzan¹⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 125

14/1

Formerly trained in France by G.Cherel and has experience of both hurdles and fences (2m2½f Auteuil chase winner in May 2016). Has joined a new stable, and should win more races, but perhaps not today.

Form: 5P376-2

March To Milan

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: J Kington⁽³⁾| T: Julia Brooke

100/1

Unraced mare by Milan out of a moderate mare (Kay For Karbia). First foal who promises to stay this trip and be suited by the forecast ground conditions. One for the future rather than today.

Form:

Olivia Joan¹³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: A C Whillans

150/1

Her three starts in bumpers were spread over a period of two years, which suggests she's either had problems or proved difficult to train. Not shown much at all and impossible to consider. Half-sister to chasers Sammy Spiderman and Cavers Glen.

Form: 9/6-0

Once An Angel¹⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Todhunter

50/1

Runner up on debut for Brian Jordan in a 3m Fairyhouse point-to-point, so perhaps no surprise she didn't have the required attributes for a Tipperary bumper next time. Stable/hurdles debut.

Form: 2-04

Forecasts

Count Meribel (13/8), Quietly (9/4), Absolute Power (4/1), Apollo Creed (11/2), Valzan (14/1), Once An Angel (50/1), March To Milan (100/1), Olivia Joan (150/1)

Count Meribel sets a clear benchmark for the others to aim towards and looks fairly tough to beat dropping back into novice company after a solid handicap effort at Ffos Las in April. However, he's had similar chances previously and there is perhaps an ounce of value to be sought in looking elsewhere. Quietly is essentially a stayer and has done as well as could be expected over hurdles so far and should be involved, whilst hurdles debutant Absolute Power is respected for Rebecca Curtis. However, the tentative vote is for fellow hurdles newcomer APOLLO CREED. He has been brought along steadily in bumpers by Evan Williams, and looks tailor made for this longer trip now switched to hurdling.