12:35 Warwick

Wednesday 22 November 2017

All12:3513:0513:4014:1014:4515:2015:50

PJ & KR Smith-Maxwell Horse Ambulances 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:35 | Winning time: 4m 5.7s

Absolutely Frankie²⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Shoemark| T: M R Bosley

100/1

Well held in all three starts so far and not yet showing much in the way of improvement. Looks one to keep an eye on with a view to handicapping.

Form: 084-

Born For War²⁹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| BF

8/1

Has been brought along with patience in point-to-points and a couple of bumpers last season, making the frame in both. Pedigree suggests that he will begin to come into his own over obstacles, so a market check is advised on his hurdles debut.

Form: FU2/33-

Cheer's Delboy²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C Poste| T: R Dickin

25/1

Beaten only narrowly in an Irish point-to-point and certainly not written off yet on the strength of his two runs over hurdles so far. Still has a bit to prove, however, including his ability on the forecast ground.

Form: P2-85

Destined To Shine³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: Kerry Lee| BF| D

4/1

Won a Towcester bumper (soft) in February and did well to make the frame under a penalty next time. Was entitled to need his reappearance/hurdles debut at Carlisle last month and looks a likely improver here.

Form: 013-6

Echnaton^h1,t1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham

66/1

His recent Fakenham reappearance was significantly better than his debut run has been, though it still leaves him plenty to work at on this hurdling debut. Headgear may help and a market check is suggested, though he is probably one to watch.

Form: 0-8

Fairway Freddy²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: L Treadwell| T: N J Gifford

18/1

Sent off at 7-1 and made a pleasing debut in a Fakenham bumper earlier in the month, leading until being collared late on. Related to plenty of success over obstacles and trainer wastes no time in giving him a debut over hurdles. Could go well.

Form: 3

General Bux²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: David England| T: O Murphy

50/1

Doesn't look to have been the easiest to keep sound, with his best effort being two years ago on debut in a Sandown bumper. Tailed off on his latest comeback in a Chepstow novices' chase and now reverts to hurdles for new yard. Market check advised.

Form: 5/P-6

Harefield²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

11/8

Won his debut bumper at Exeter in February (soft) and returned from a break with a good effort to be a 6½L fourth at the same track on his hurdles debut last month. Open to improvement and enters calculations again today.

Form: 24-4

Santo De Lune³³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 119

5/2

Absent for three years between his two runs so far, the latest being when runner-up at Bangor (2m½f, soft) in December. That was smart form in the context of this race and with his yard's runners in good form he looks capable of going close again.

Form: 4/2-

Shanroe Saint¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B I Case

20/1

Has produced two similar efforts over hurdles so far, making the frame in a Stratford maiden (2m½f, good to soft) and then when stepped up to 2m4f at Uttoxeter last time. Potential improver, though likely to be of more interest when handicapping.

Form: 67F3-36

St Merryn^h1³⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: B R Summers

100/1

Tailed off last of six, beaten 50L, on his rules debut for Rebecca Curtis at Bangor in December and has since changed hands. Looks to have plenty to find/prove on this hurdles debut with headgear applied and is probably best watched today.

Form: 3/6-

La Fille Francaise³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin

100/1

Showed some improvement in her three bumpers, but was thrashed on her return to action/hurdles debut over 2m3½f at Chepstow last month. Has a mountain to climb on that evidence.

Form: 644-9

Forecasts

Harefield (11/8), Santo De Lune (5/2), Destined To Shine (4/1), Born For War (8/1), Fairway Freddy (18/1), Shanroe Saint (20/1), Cheer's Delboy (25/1), General Bux (50/1), Echnaton (66/1), La Fille Francaise (100/1), St Merryn (100/1), Absolutely Frankie (100/1)

An interesting opener and one where SANTO DE LUNE is the suggestion. Connections have clearly had to exercise plenty of patience where the seven-year-old is concerned, but he showed on his only run of last season that he can go well when fresh and is a capable sort, so he gets the vote. Harefield looks one of the more likely improvers in the field and will probably represent a danger along with Destined To Shine and hurdling newcomers Born For War and Fairway Freddie, both of whom should be checked out for any market confidence.