13:20 Lingfield

Tuesday 14 November 2017

All12:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:50

British Stallions 'National Hunt' EBF Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 4m 46.9s

Alltimegold³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

100/1

Never in the hunt on debut at Fontwell last month and showed little to recommend him here. Makes next to no appeal on that.

Form: 0

Ballintara²⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs D Grissell

80/1

Not disgraced in a couple of bumpers, notably when third to Huntress in March. Nice looker that will do better this season, but ability to handle soft ground asks a new question here. Best watched.

Form: F37-

Buckby Boy⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton

33/1

With a top yard, hasn't set the world alight in a couple of bumper efforts but this half-brother to multiple hurdles winner Halling's Wish looks the type to do better this year. Market likely to prove the best guide.

Form: 4-7

First Assignment²¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: Ian Williams

10/1

£40,000 purchase at Cheltenham sales last April after a gutsy win in only point-to-point start at Belclare earlier that month. Stamina may well be his long suit and with the yard in such sparkling form, may be able to take a hand in the finish here.

Form: 1-

Glen Rocco⁵⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: L Treadwell| T: N J Gifford

33/1

Winner of an Irish point-to-point back in May 2016 and not seen since, which has to be of some concern, but cost £80,000 at the sales and is related to plenty of Flat/jumps winners. Needs a look in the market.

Form: P/1-

I Am Sam^h1¹⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Miss E C Lavelle

66/1

In good hands but point-to-point form is nothing to write home about, and unless string in the market, may be one for another day.

Form: U/3RP3-P

Jabulani¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D N Russell| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127

1/2

A tale of steady improvement and latest effort when third to the improving mare Brillaire Momento is a good effort in the context of this race. Won on debut on soft, so handles ground, and every chance of success here.

Form: 16-23

Over Stated¹⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Ian Popham| T: R T Phillips

25/1

Came good at the fourth time of asking in point-to-points but it wasn't a strong event and yard not known for winners in this sphere. Best watched unless strong in the market.

Form: PUF-1

Potters Hedger²¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham

12/1

Took a step forward on each of his four starts so far and not beaten at all far at Market Rasen last time. Handles soft ground and worth a try at this trip, but will need to settle better if he's to get home. Each-way chances if he does.

Form: 8652-

Ulva Ferry³²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: C Gordon

66/1

First run for this yard (formerly with Dan Skelton) but hasn't shown much in either of his two starts. From a good family so may yet do better, but looks one that simply needs time.

Form: 60-

Voie Dans Voie²⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

13/2

Some promise in two point-to-points (only modest events), but in good hands and likely to improve. Stamina looks his long suit so ground and trip fine, and is a half-brother to a French Grade 2 winner. No surprise if he does better today

Form: 32-

Well Smitten²⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| BF

14/1

Best run of three last year came at Hereford on heavy ground, so no issue with today's conditions, but disappointing on final start (when made favourite) and with yard struggling for form, is passed over today.

Form: 726-

Atalanta's Gold

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore

50/1

Nice pedigree and a half-sister to winning 3m hurdler Nemean Lion. Yard only 2-40 in hurdles here last five seasons though, which tempers confidence a little, so unless there's market support, may be best watched today.

Form:

Pearlesque²⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

10/1

With a top yard; quite highly tried in a couple of decent bumpers last season and although she showed only limited promise, but bred to want this sort of trip and a surprise if we've seen the best of her already.

Form: 86-

Forecasts

Jabulani (1/2), Voie Dans Voie (13/2), First Assignment (10/1), Pearlesque (10/1), Potters Hedger (12/1), Well Smitten (14/1), Over Stated (25/1), Glen Rocco (33/1), Buckby Boy (33/1), Atalanta's Gold (50/1), I Am Sam (66/1), Ulva Ferry (66/1), Ballintara (80/1), Alltimegold (100/1)

A few of these have shown promise in the point-to-point field, and it wouldn't be a surprise if one of them proved good enough here - the market will be the best guide as to their respective chances, but JABULANI has the form in the bank and may be able to break her hurdles duck here. Voie Dans Vole will be well suited if this becomes a slog, and may be next best, ahead of First Assignment and Potters Hedger.