14:55 Uttoxeter

Thursday 19 October 2017

All14:2014:5515:2515:5516:3017:00

British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 4m 2.6s

Counter Shy³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| D

4/1

Showed promise in his one and only bumper and then produced more progress to land a Worcester maiden hurdle last month travelling well throughout the race. Finished off the race well showing plenty of speed and further progress not ruled out.

Form: 3-1

Blazon¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| D

16/1

Winner of an AW bumper and there was some promise in his hurdling debut. Weak in the market that day he was hampered three out before rallying around the turn. Exertions took their toll and he was not unduly punished. Stable in form lately.

Form: 12-5

Cause Toujours^t1²¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| BF| D

10/11

Sent off favourite for the Champion Bumper where he faded from a handy position in the closing stages. Impressive at Warwick on his debut and held in some regard by his leading yard.

Form: U/19-

Dakkar Collonges²²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B I Case

33/1

Fifth of nine in a newcomers hurdle at Auteuil in March. That form has had mixed results since and the market may be more informative.

Form: 5-

Don't Act Up²⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams

50/1

Won an Irish point-to-point at the fourth attempt and never got into it under a hold up ride on his rules debut at Stratford. Off the track six months but comes here with his yard in good form.

Form: P24127-

Innisfree Lad¹⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: David Dennis

80/1

Regressive form last season. Stable had a winner two weeks ago but have had some disappointments since. Looks to have his work cut out at this level.

Form: 378-

Midnight Shadow²⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

11/1

Impressed when landing a bumper by 10L and justifying pre-race optimism. Had his work cut out on his next two starts but continued to progress. One of the more interesting runners in this.

Form: 127-

Monty's Award²³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| D

4/1

Beat a subsequent Flat winner on his bumper debut without breaking much of a sweat. Yard were out of form when he disappointed next time but they have enjoyed their share of success this autumn.

Form: 14-

Royal Act^h¹⁵⁹

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

150/1

Has done little to recommend him in what appears to be a much stronger race than he has contested so far.

Form: 66-F4

Scorpions Sound¹⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonathan England| T: S England

150/1

Picked up for £2,600 as a five-year-old. Tailed off on bumper debut and faces a stiff task embarking on his hurdling career.

Form: 7

The Flame^h1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill

25/1

Irish point-to-point winner who finished runner-up on his bumper debut at Chepstow in March when sent off as favourite. Well held on hurdling debut and ominous to see the hood fitted.

Form: 12-7

The Manuscript

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill

80/1

€27,000 purchase by Mahler and out of a dam who is related to Barney Burnett. Half-brother to winning hurdler/chaser Rebel Chief and also a point-to-point winner. Jockey bookings suggest he will come on for the experience.

Form:

Kikimora¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Ian Popham| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

200/1

Tailed off on both starts at big prices and faces another stiff challenge. Bred to stay much further and looks one for the future.

Form: 9-9

Shroughmore Lass¹⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Henry Oliver

100/1

Runner-up in three Irish point-to-points in testing ground. No show on hurdling debut during the spring and this run will probably be needed.

Form: 222-9

Forecasts

Cause Toujours (10/11), Counter Shy (4/1), Monty's Award (4/1), Midnight Shadow (11/1), Blazon (16/1), The Flame (25/1), Dakkar Collonges (33/1), Don't Act Up (50/1), Innisfree Lad (80/1), The Manuscript (80/1), Shroughmore Lass (100/1), Royal Act (150/1), Scorpions Sound (150/1), Kikimora (200/1)

CAUSE TOUJOURS is held in high regard by the Skelton team and is sure to have been well prepared for his hurdling debut. The Champion Bumper favourite has been found a good opportunity and bigger targets surely await. Fellow debutants Blazon, Midnight Shadow and Monty's Award look the types to win races this winter and have to be considered dangers here. Counter Shy is the pick of those with hurdling experience but faces a stiff task under his penalty.