13:00 Doncaster

Friday 1 December 2017

All12:0012:3013:0013:3014:0014:3515:10

Kelly's Of Cornwall Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 4m 46.60s

Jassas^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 120

16/1

Ex-French gelding who won on his first start for new stable when successful at Newcastle last month. Ran as though this longer trip would suit, so high on the list despite top weight.

Form: 7/42-1

Barton Knoll²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: J Mackie| OR: 117

9/2

Consistent in novice company, winning at Wetherby two starts ago before running well under a penalty in a fair race at Aintree last time. Should go well again with underfoot conditions in his favour.

Form: 692-215

Peggies Venture¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 115

5/1

Dual bumper winner, but yet to win over hurdles. Has gone up 6lb since the latest of two runner-up displays so she needs to find a little extra.

Form: 2474-22

Rio Bravo^t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 114

5/1

Promise in novice hurdles, but first run in a handicap saw him pulled up over 2m7f at Exeter on soft ground. This sounder surface should be more to his liking as should the shorter trip.

Form: 3/393-2P

The Grinder¹⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: N Kent| OR: 108

28/1

Placed on three of his six starts, each of them on good ground. Conditions should be ideal, but he has fitness to prove after his lay-off since May.

Form: P2363-9

Alpha Indi¹⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H J Evans| OR: 108

16/1

Seemed to be getting his act together in the spring and early summer, but took a step back when well beaten at Southwell when last seen in June. May be able to bounce back after a break, so worth a market check.

Form: 3872-34

Strait Of Magellan^t⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 107

25/1

Placed in two of his six runs over hurdles, but well beaten on the last three of them. Inching down the weights and likely to pop up at some stage for respected stable.

Form: 5/2240-5

Manny Owens^p,t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 103

2/1

Without a win in seven starts over hurdles, but seems to be improving and certainly shaped well when second of nine at Catterick last time. Has gone up 6lb, though, which tempers enthusiasm.

Form: 044-532

Jack Lamb¹¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 100

16/1

Little to shout about in three runs in maiden and novice company for current stable. Has been dropped 2lb since pulling up last time, but has plenty to prove.

Form: 47/77-4P

Luso Benny⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: J Kington⁽³⁾| T: P Holmes| OR: 99

33/1

Well beaten on first venture into handicap company at Hexham last time and only 2lb lower. Looks to have plenty on his plate.

Form: 834260

Global Fert^t1¹⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: D R Fox| T: N C Kelly| OR: 96

50/1

Made his handicap bow at Uttoxeter in June and led three hurdles from home before fading. Has not run since, but is of some interest off 3lb lower in a first-time tongue tie.

Form: 2P490-7

Non-Runners

Stonecoldsoba¹⁸

Weight: 11-6| Age: 4

T: D P Quinn J: Dave Crosse

Forecasts

Manny Owens (2/1), Barton Knoll (9/2), Peggies Venture (5/1), Rio Bravo (5/1), Jack Lamb (16/1), Jassas (16/1), Alpha Indi (16/1), Strait Of Magellan (25/1), Stonecoldsoba (25/1), The Grinder (28/1), Luso Benny (33/1), Global Fert (50/1)

Global Fert has possibilities off bottom weight, while the likes of Peggies Venture, Strait Of Magellan and Manny Owens will have their supporters. However, top weights Jassas and BARTON KNOLL look the most convincing, with marginal preference for the latter, who ran well under a penalty in a fair race at Aintree last time. Alpha Indi and Rio Bravo are worth noting for market support.