16:45 Southwell

Thursday 26 October 2017

All14:0514:4015:1015:4516:1516:45

Play Casino At 188Bet Maiden Open NH Flat Race

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 3m 51.80s

Blue Merlin

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

9/2

Unraced son of Fair Mix and a half-brother to dual winner Celestial Magic. Represents a stable in good form at present (4/20) and worth a check in the market on racecourse debut.

Form:

Bridge of Cally¹⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington

20/1

Well held in two bumper runs so far including over C&D on good ground in April. Yard can boast a 29% strike-rate (2/7) in recent weeks but more needed if he's to take this.

Form: 53-

Fair Westerner^h1,t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: A Stronge

100/1

Pulled up in a couple of point-to-points in Ireland and attempted to make all prior to weakening in a bumper at Worcester (good) last month. Wears a hood for the first time today.

Form: PP-8

Hidden Glen

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling

6/4

Unraced gelding by Stowaway cost €47,000 as a three-year-old in June last year. Half-brother to winning mare Undisputed and worth a check in the market on racecourse debut.

Form:

Majestic Man

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: Ronald Thompson

66/1

Unraced son of Majestic Missile cost £8,000 at the breeze-up sales as a two-year-old. Half-brother to a few winners on the Flat but probably best watched on his debut.

Form:

Ourville's Million¹⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood

14/1

Fair effort when finishing sixth on debut at Uttoxeter (2m, good-to-soft) in May. Will need to settle better if he's to take a hand in the finish today.

Form: 6

Ravensdale²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

9/2

Broke his maiden at the sixth attempt in point-to-points in Ireland when winning at Loughbrickland (soft) in April. Worth a check in the market for a stable with a 17% strike-rate (5/30) recently.

Form: 5357F1-

Some Ambition¹⁷³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon

8/1

Stepped up on two previous point-to-point efforts when finishing runner-up at Taylorstown (good) in May. Purchased for £22,000 at the sales later that month and interesting to see how he fares on rules debut.

Form: 55-2

Whitmel²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby

50/1

Ran well to finish third over C&D on good ground when making his debut early last month but failed to build on that when beaten 65L at Sedgefield subsequently. Needs to put that latest effort behind him to figure in this contest.

Form: 38

You're So Right

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill

8/1

Unraced son of Presenting bought for €65,000 at the sales in June last year. Half-brother to the useful chaser Killer Miller and represents leading connections in this contest.

Form:

Run For Eva^h1²⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: Olly Williams

200/1

Well held in three bumpers at up to an extended 1m7f including at Towcester (soft) in February when last in action. Wears a hood for the first time today.

Form: 080-

Zara's Reflection¹⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: B I Case

66/1

Fair effort when fifth on debut at Towcester (good-to-firm) but hood left off when finishing last at Bangor subsequently and absent again today.

Form: 59

Non-Runners

I'd Better Go Now

Weight: 11-4| Age: 4

T: C E Longsdon J: Non Runner

Nestor Park

Weight: 11-4| Age: 4

T: B Pauling J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Hidden Glen (6/4), Ravensdale (9/2), Blue Merlin (9/2), Nestor Park (5/1), I'd Better Go Now (7/1), You're So Right (8/1), Some Ambition (8/1), Ourville's Million (14/1), Bridge of Cally (20/1), Whitmel (50/1), Zara's Reflection (66/1), Majestic Man (66/1), Fair Westerner (100/1), Run For Eva (200/1)

Trainer Ben Pauling has a 28% strike-rate in bumpers at this track in recent seasons and his NESTOR PARK can take this competitive bumper for a stable who's horses are running well at present. The selection was an expensive purchase as a three-year-old and can see off his rivals today with Blue Merlin taken to finish second for another in form trainer in Fergal O'Brien. Of the remainder Ravensdale showed a fair level of ability in point-to-point company in Ireland and can claim third today.