12:30 Wetherby

Wednesday 27 December 2017

All12:3013:0013:3014:0514:4015:15

Read Noel Fehily At 188Bet Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:35 | Winning time: 4m 11.00s

Bulkov²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 122

3/1

Recorded easy 12L success at Sedgefield (2m1f, good to soft) last time, for which he is penalised. Sliding in the official ratings in four British starts and despite needing to find more according to the handicapper he looks set to go close.

Form: 338-421

Some Reign⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 132| BF| CD

11/4

Has run well on both starts when consenting to race this autumn, winning a Kelso maiden hurdle (2m, good) in October. Blotted copybook when refusing to race at Musselburgh recently. Claims under penalty if he gets going, but carries risks.

Form: 120-21R

Ferngrove^h,t⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Corbett⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 89

250/1

17-race maiden under both codes and yet to make the frame in four starts over hurdles. Impossible to fancy in this field, despite good recent run for his trainer.

Form: 577/0

Going Gold³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Reveley| T: R Hobson

7/2

Irish point-to-point winner who was off the track for a year after a couple of bumpers for Rebecca Curtis and returned with good effort on stable debut in a Catterick bumper last time. Not ruled out on hurdling debut.

Form: 138-2

Just Bobby⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: Micky Hammond

11/1

Has recorded three very similar efforts in bumpers, making the frame in the first two here and at Sedgefield. Half-brother to two hurdles winners and dam also won over them, so one to check out for market confidence ahead over debut in this sphere.

Form: 3-24

Lisdoonvarna Lad³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon

8/1

Runner-up in a Worcester bumper (good) on debut in October and then a bit too keen when tried in a Listed contest at Cheltenham last time. Now goes hurdling, though pedigree and recent stable form suggest that he might have other days.

Form: 28

London Glory^p1³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Tony Kelly| T: D Thompson

66/1

Has won over 1m4f (soft) in the Flat (rated 59) this year, so this trip should not be a problem on his hurdles debut. No jumps pedigree to speak of and trainer 1-39 with jumps runners this season, but market check suggested nonetheless.

Form:

Multellie⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁷⁾| T: T D Easterby

25/1

78-rated Flat performer whose three wins have been at around 1m4f (inc. on soft). Stays 1m6f, so he could do better over further than this. Nonetheless, likely to be well prepared for this hurdles debut and is an interesting runner.

Form:

Mutawaasel²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

33/1

Left behind last season's form when third in a Sedgefield bumper in October and not a bad effort on second hurdles start last time over C&D (soft) when a 22L fifth at 66-1. Needs a fair bit more improvement to make an impact.

Form: 75/305

Pronto Tonto

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C R King| T: T D Easterby

66/1

€5,500 yearling. First foal. Dam a 1m1f winner, out of 1m2f winning half-sister to Group-placed 6f/7f two-year-old winner Murawwi. Stamina/inexperience are concerns on this racecourse debut and a watching brief is suggested.

Form:

Quest For Life⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: M Walford

14/1

Improving with each run and in the frame in two bumpers and also on hurdles debut at Market Rasen (2m½f, good) last time. Those behind him have not done wonders for that form, but stable in good nick and he may be able to improve again.

Form: 232

Taking A Chance²⁹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: W T Kennedy| T: Ian Williams

14/1

Runner up in sole Irish point-to-point in March. Full-sister to point-to-point winner, out of 1m4f Flat/2m-2m4f hurdle winner. Makes rules debut here and a market check is suggested in order to gauge expectations .

Form: 2-

Non-Runners

Lord Franklin⁶⁶

Weight: 10-12| Age: 8

T: A Crook J: Ross Turner

Sliding Doors²⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: David Noonan

Forecasts

Some Reign (11/4), Bulkov (3/1), Going Gold (7/2), Lisdoonvarna Lad (8/1), Just Bobby (11/1), Quest For Life (14/1), Taking A Chance (14/1), Multellie (25/1), Mutawaasel (33/1), Lord Franklin (50/1), Pronto Tonto (66/1), London Glory (66/1), Sliding Doors (100/1), Ferngrove (250/1)

An interesting opener with easy Sedgefield winner Bulkov and recent Musselburgh renegade Some Reign each trying to defy penalties, though the suggestion is to take them on with GOING GOLD. Richard Hobson's charge showed that he retains ability with a decent effort in a bumper on his return from a year off the track and his trainer wastes no time in sending him out over hurdles. He might be able to take advantage of the weight that he receives from the principals. Quest For Life and Sliding Doors are potential improvers, while Multellie is the most eyecatching debutante on paper and a big run would not surprise.