13:15 Cheltenham
Friday 17 November 2017
All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35
Fairlight Books Novices' Handicap Hurdle
- 3YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 87y | Good to Soft | 19 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 13:17 | Winning time: 4m 2.7s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Very useful Flat performer who was a Southwell novice hurdle winner before being heavily backed when a rather disappointing second in a Ludlow handicap last time. Has to contend with a 4lb rise which presents him with a stiff task.
Tough and consistent, he landed a Bangor handicap on his latest start. Has been raised 8lb and even though he looks sure to be thereabouts, others may be better treated.
Still a maiden after seven runs over hurdles, but caught the eye when second at Bangor last time. Seems to be getting his act together and has an each-way shout.
Defeated Banditry off level weights in a Worcester novices' hurdle in September, but was beaten into second under a penalty at Uttoxeter on his latest outing. Has scope for improvement and is not badly treated,
Won three times during the summer and was given a break before finishing down the field in a Chepstow handicap last month. Badly hampered early on that day and can do better.
Third on hurdling debut at Uttoxter before winning in good style at Sedgefield. More demanded in his first handicap, but stable is in tremendous form and he has to enter calculations.
Has been running well in chases, but has fair hurdling form to his credit and was a winner over timber at Tramore in the summer. Interesting that shrewd connections switch him back to this discipline and any market interest should be noted.
Bumper winner who performed with credit in three novice hurdles last season. Reappears after a break on a fair mark and is one to note if the market speaks in his favour.
Several fair efforts last season and looked good when winning at Carlisle on his reappearance. May do even better and can make his presence felt.
Bumper winner who has been placed on all three starts over hurdles, most recently in a handicap at Warwick where he started favourite. Up 6lb, but is lightly raced and has possibilities.
Fair Flat performer who showed ability in three hurdles starts in the 2014/15 season. This is a tough ask on his return from a long absence.
Won a 1m2f handicap on the Flat last summer, but has yet to hit the frame in four hurdles outings. Should find a race at some stage, but this will take plenty of winning.
Off the mark at the 10th attempt - and on his second start for this trainer - when successful in a conditional jockeys' handicap at Kempton on Monday. Turned out quickly with same jockey on board and can run off his winning mark. Clear chance.
Maiden on the Flat and over hurdles whose last run over timber at Warwick some him finish a long way behind Oxwich Bay. Plenty to do on that evidence.
Irish import who won six times on the Flat for Dermot Weld, but is 0-11 over hurdles, including one run for current stable when he was well beaten at this track. Not hard to oppose.
Returned from a two-year absence to finish a creditable third of 12 in a Wincanton novices' handicap hurdle last month. Stable in fine form and is a player if avoiding the dreaded "bounce" factor.
Won his first two starts in juvenile hurdles and has run well under penalties in two similar contests. Gets a valuable weight allowance in his first handicap and is one to take seriously.
Quite experienced for a novice and has two wins on his CV. Has no secrets from the handicapper, though, and others are likely to be better treated.
Won at the 14th time of asking over hurdles at Wincanton last time when he had War On The Rocks back in third. Up 9lb, which sets him quite a task.
Forecasts
Magic Dancer (10/3), Oxwich Bay (9/2), Counter Shy (6/1), Coeur Blimey (7/1), War On The Rocks (17/2), Or De Vassy (12/1), Banditry (14/1), Champagne City (20/1), Arty Campbell (20/1), Slanelough (20/1), Plato's Kode (20/1), Zalvados (25/1), Man Look (25/1), Canny Tom (33/1), Samson (50/1), Spiritual Man (50/1), Stuccodor (66/1), Pivotal Flame (80/1), Argent Knight (100/1)
Irish raider Canny Tom is of interest switched back to hurdles, but there are one or two in this who are not totally exposed, most notably Counter Shy, Or De Vassy, Slanelough and OXWICH BAY. The latter gets a narrow vote in the belief he is capable of better than he has shown, while others to consider are the three-year-old Plato's Kode, Monday's Kempton winner Magic Dancer, War On The Rocks, Coeur Blimey and Champagne City.
- Oxwich Bay
- Or De Vassy
- Counter Shy
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £7,507.002nd: £2,218.003rd: £1,109.004th: £554.005th: £277.006th: £139.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
