12:20 Newbury

Friday 1 December 2017

All12:2012:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Ladbrokes 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 12:21 | Winning time: 3m 57.9s

Abbey Street²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: P Henderson

100/1

Only minor form shown in point-to-points and didn't do anywhere near enough on Rules debut at Chepstow last month to think he can win this.

Form: P/F3-2F0

Admiral Barratry⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Nick Williams| BF

12/1

Went off a well fancied favourite at Fontwell latest but faded after showing some signs of greenness. This drop back in trip likely to help, and there's no doubt he will do better at some point, but this looks a bit too tough at this stage.

Form: 2U-5

Black Op²³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| BF

4/1

Looked very useful when beating Champion Bumper second Claimantakinforgan on debut at Doncaster in Feb and sent off favourite for an Aintree Grade 2 bumper on the back of it. Performed credibly there, and the type to go on again this year.

Form: 1/19-

Dassett Gold²⁰²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: P R Webber

33/1

Has performed with credit on both starts in bumpers to date, showing ability and should progress this season, but may need further than this and is probably best watched on hurdles debut today.

Form: 4-5

Debacle

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: T E Whelan| T: J M P Eustace

50/1

Mixed messages to be taken from the pedigree (blend of speed and stamina) but yard not really known for winners in this sphere and unless the market says otherwise, is best watched today,

Form:

Kapcorse³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

10/1

Nice pedigree and will do better when going up in trip, but for the time being, showed enough ability in a hot little novice at Exeter to think he will progress and play a part here. In good hands and not to be underestimated.

Form: 4-6

Lostintranslation²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 125

9/4

Has probably been a little unlucky to bump into a couple of good horses this season, finishing runner up twice. Stuck to the task well to run the useful Claimantakinforgan close here last time and no reason not to go close if repeating that.

Form: 4-22

Peur De Rien³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Shoemark| T: O Sherwood

50/1

£85,000 purchase last summer, bred to do well but although his debut at Worcester wasn't terrible, it suggested he's one that will need a bit more time. Others readily make more appeal today.

Form: 0

Present Ranger²⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

10/1

Full brother to Grand National winner Ballabriggs and a pedigree that screams chaser at you. Given that, likely this test will be sharp enough but in very good hands and a decent showing wouldn't be the biggest surprise.

Form: 2-

Second Time Around¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

14/1

Came good in a little bumper at Market Rasen in the summer and didn't run badly on hurdles debut at Sandown last month, looking like he needed the run. Likely to strip fitter here and may challenge for the places.

Form: 64-14

Simply The Betts⁶²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington

8/1

The market knew all about this one on debut at Market Rasen, well backed to strike first time up and he obliged in style. Second there has since won easily (twice) and the form looks strong. Every chance if jumping fluently on hurdles debut today.

Form: 1

The Manuscript²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill

66/1

Sent off big prices both starts and hasn't shown anywhere near enough to get near the principals here. Of more interest once going handicapping.

Form: 09

World Premier²²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: B Pauling| D

10/3

Purchased by current connections for £25,000 after a good win in a Warwick bumper in April (form solid enough, third has run well since) and no reason to think he won't progress this year. May need this after absence but chances all the same.

Form: 1-

Forecasts

Lostintranslation (9/4), World Premier (10/3), Black Op (4/1), Simply The Betts (8/1), Present Ranger (10/1), Kapcorse (10/1), Admiral Barratry (12/1), Second Time Around (14/1), Dassett Gold (33/1), Peur De Rien (50/1), Debacle (50/1), The Manuscript (66/1), Abbey Street (100/1)

LOSTINTRANSLATION has done well to run two smart novices close on his first two starts this season and can gain compensation for those here. He himself looks a decent prospect and can win this en route to better things. Simply The Betts may be the one to give him most to do if he can avoid errors on his jumping debut here. The form of his Market Rasen win looks very good, with the runner up showing how good he is in two subsequent starts, and he looks a horse of potential. Black Op, Present Ranger and World Premier are just three others to watch in a race likely to throw up plenty of future winners.