Jennings Kia 'Hands And Heels' 'National Hunt' Novices Hurdle (Conditional Jockeys & Amateur Riders)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 7m 2.60s

Captiva Island²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: O Murphy| OR: 118

6/4

Former Gordon Elliott inmate has run well in both starts for this yard this autumn. Collared late on at Ayr latest over 2m but looked to idle more than tire. Related to a 4m4f winner so extra distance surely a help and must be considered.

Form: 63242

Contented²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Houlihan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 119| BF

1/1

Placed in an Irish bumper and two starts over hurdles this autumn, the latest when second over 2m3f at Taunton. Leading trainer's fine start to the season slowed a little but surely significant this his only runner here.

Form: 3-32

Dragonfli³⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aaron Anderson⁽³⁾| T: L Egerton

100/1

Modest form in three bumpers and same story in two hurdle races in which he has been tailed off. Hard to see any change here.

Form: P7407-

Haighall³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Turner| T: C Grant

25/1

Heading for a mid-division finish on hurdles debut at Carlisle until falling two out. Previously quite soundly beaten in a bumper here in 2016 so on both pieces of form to date he is up against it.

Form: 5-F

Stay In Touch²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 112

6/1

Latest run was his best to date when fourth at Uttoxeter but he was four lengths behind Captiva Island (finished second). Should handle longer trip but no obvious reason to reverse with the top horse.

Form: 21U874

Millrose Bell²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Mr Alex Chadwick⁽⁵⁾| T: V Thompson

33/1

Managed third of seven at 125/1 on hurdles bow after modest bumper run. Nothing like as good latest when beaten 45L at Newcastle so hard to fancy now.

Form: 3-37

Forecasts

Contented (1/1), Captiva Island (6/4), Stay In Touch (6/1), Haighall (25/1), Millrose Bell (33/1), Dragonfli (100/1)

CAPTIVA ISLAND rather threw away the race last time at Uttoxeter having done the hard work. That was still strong form however and with connections likely a little wiser to him this time he can make amends here. Contented rates as the danger after good efforts at Wincanton and Taunton on quicker ground. He us Philip Hobbs' only runner here. Stay In Touch has a bit to find with the selection but he ought to benefit for an extra 4f and appears to be on the up.