12:10 Cheltenham

Friday 15 December 2017

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:14 | Winning time: 4m 24.30s

Shoal Bay²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard

14/1

Justified favouritism in a Worcester bumper and improved to win at Taunton last month over 2m3f. Gave the impression there was still plenty to work on and will have to improve to land this but yard won last year's renewal of this. Each-way claim.

Form: 11

Western Ryder²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex

5/2

Listed winner and Grade 2-placed bumper performer who won over hurdles when successful on heavy ground at Chepstow over 2m last month. Penalised for that success but yard won this in 2014 and gets the services of the Champion Jockey today.

Form: 1253-U1

It's Got Legs¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| BF

66/1

Created a nice impression on debut at Fontwell but didn't look entirely straightforward when an unplaced favourite at Lingifeld next time out. Still very early days and may improve for the switch to hurdles but suspicion is he'll need more time.

Form: 24

Lalor²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D N Russell| T: R Woollacott| OR: 133| D

2/1

Had Western Ryder in behind when winning the Grade 2 Aintree bumper on final start of last season but has failed to get off the mark this season despite prohibitive odds. Each-way claims but needs to improve to be considered for win purposes.

Form: 2211-23

Sartene's Son³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

100/1

Well beaten on debut and pulled-up at Warwick last time, struggling from a fair way out. Looks up against it markedly back down in trip.

Form: 9P

Some Man³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

12/1

Eye-catching pedigree with his dam a sister to Gold Cup winner Denman. Won his only point-to-point start and cost plenty at the sales but unplaced on Rules debut at Worcester last time and bred for further than this.

Form: 1-4

Summerville Boy²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: T R George| OR: 142| D

9/4

Won his sole bumper start and finished runner-up to a smart sort who has franked the form since on reappearance at Stratford. Excellent second over C&D at the previous meeting here and will be hard to beat if arriving in the same form again.

Form: 122

Spice Girl^t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Aidan Coleman| T: M Keighley

20/1

Won all three starts in bumpers this year and plenty to like about the way she pulled away at Towcester last time. Will have learnt plenty from that first start over hurdles and while this is tougher, she should improve again.

Form: 8-1111

Forecasts

Lalor (2/1), Summerville Boy (9/4), Western Ryder (5/2), Some Man (12/1), Shoal Bay (14/1), Spice Girl (20/1), It's Got Legs (66/1), Sartene's Son (100/1)

SUMMERVILLE BOY's effort over course and distance last time was a smart performance and he sets a solid standard for the rest to aim on his two efforts this season. Spice Girl could be the main danger if she improves again for her first start over hurdles last time while Lalor and Western Ryder can fight it out for minor honours with the former capable of confirming the Aintree Bumper form, receiving weight from his rival.