12:30 Taunton

Thursday 14 December 2017

All12:0012:3013:0513:3514:1014:4515:1515:50

Ivor Brimblecombe Memorial Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:35 | Winning time: 6m 13.50s

Ballyknock Cloud^p,t⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber| D

10/1

Winner of his last three outings in point-to-points for this stable. Won on debut under rules in a six runner contest at Southwell over 3m. Only won by ½L so 6lb penalty leaves him needing more but clearly going right way.

Form: 43111-1

Kings Ryde⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| BF

5/2

Built on a promising bumper run when winning very impressively on hurdles debut over 2m4½f at Souhwell. Beaten next at Worcester as 1/4F with no obvious excuse. Upped in trip now and every chance he bounces back.

Form: 312

As I See It²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry

8/1

Fair efforts in two starts under rules to date. Fourth on hurdling debut latest over 2m5½f at Wincanton. Step up in trip not sure to suit based on runs so far although stoutly bred.

Form: 31-54

Bertie My Boy⁵⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen⁽⁵⁾| T: J G Cann

200/1

Tailed off last in lone race, a June 2016 seller at Ffos Las. Likely triple figure price and certainly should be.

Form: 6-

Canelo²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 122| BF

9/4

Second in both starts over hurdles, a 2m3½f maiden at Chepstow and 2m5½f novice at Wincanton. Step up in trip should suit and looks a leading contender.

Form: F2-22

Dan McGrue⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| BF| D

5/2

Cost £60,000 after winning all three point-to-points for Jack Barber. Disappointing on hurdles and stable debut over 2m5½f at Wincanton latest but surely more to come for leading trainer.

Form: 1111-4

Gambling Gamut²⁰⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: Alexandra Dunn

150/1

Only completed once in three point-to-points where he was a well beaten fifth. With that in mind he is very hard to fancy on rules debut.

Form: U-R5

Hidden Impact^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis

33/1

Promising bumper second on rules debut back in February at Chepstow but disappointing on return at same venue and modest hurdles start at Aintree too last month. More needed now.

Form: 2/2-87

Samuel Jackson²⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| D

100/1

Ran well in last two point-to-point starts for this trainer with a win and second (both over 3m). Could be a nice prospect but faces smart types from the big boys today.

Form: PF/12-

Slaying The Dragon²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: M Hill

200/1

Ordinary flat maiden has shown next to nothing in two hurdle starts to date and will be a big price again here.

Form: 0-B8

The Lion Dancer²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| D

100/1

Maiden point-to-point winner was tailed off on hurdles debut and pulled up latest in a three-runner event at Fakenham. Much more needed.

Form: 45-15P

Non-Runners

Awaywiththeblues³¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: R Stephens J: James Best

Forecasts

Canelo (9/4), Kings Ryde (5/2), Dan McGrue (5/2), As I See It (8/1), Ballyknock Cloud (10/1), Hidden Impact (33/1), Samuel Jackson (100/1), The Lion Dancer (100/1), Awaywiththeblues (100/1), Gambling Gamut (150/1), Bertie My Boy (200/1), Slaying The Dragon (200/1)

Having looked a really bright prospect on his hurdles debut KINGS RYDE was a real letdown latest as a long odds-on favourite. He has been given a bit of time since and steps up in trip here so is given a chance to redeem himself. Canelo looks a real danger in receipt of weight after two good seconds and he should be better still over this trip. Dan McGrue surely has more to come for Paul Nicholls so he should be involved too.