JEB Homes Ltd Juvenile Hurdle

Off time: 12:53 | Winning time: 4m 56.0s

Oxford Blu²²

Age: 3| Weight: 11-5| J: Ian Popham| T: O Murphy| D

7/4

68-rated flat performer where he was effective at up to 2m2f. Justified favouritism on hurdles debut at Fakenham where he scooted clear to win by 20L. Carries a penalty today but sure to make a bold bid.

Form: 1

Aiguille Rouge¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 117| CD

2/1

Off the mark at the third time of asking when winning over C&D latest by 8L on heavy ground. Very similar conditions today and although she carries a penalty she looks sure to go well.

Form: 31

Cold Shoulder¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds

16/1

31L third to Aiguille Rouge latest over C&D which was an improved effort on her hurdles debut or two flat runs. Magnitude of his task however can't be underestimated.

Form: 53

Quothquan¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: M Goldstein| T: M Madgwick| OR: 116

2/1

Third here on hurdles debut in a particularly warm novice race. Second latest at Sandown saw him beat his Fontwell conqueror although he was well held by the easy winner. With main rivals under penalties he can't be ruled out here.

Form: 32

Spirit Of Rome¹³³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-5| J: James Banks| T: H Whittington

20/1

50-rated maiden of 10 on the flat who was best over 1m4f. Sets out over hurdles with on the face of it a very difficult task with all of her rivals having experience.

Form:

Forecasts

Oxford Blu (7/4), Aiguille Rouge (2/1), Quothquan (2/1), Cold Shoulder (16/1), Spirit Of Rome (20/1)

OXFORD BLU may not have beaten a great deal on debut at Fakenham but it would have been difficult to not be impressed by that resounding success. He will likely want trips closer to 3m in time so an extra 1½f here can only be seen as a positive. Fellow winner Aiguille Rouge is sure to have supporters too having won over C&D and she can't be ruled out. Quothquan will certainly win races over hurdles on what we have seen so far and he isn't far behind the principles here having run in hot contests in both hurdle starts to date.