13:35 Taunton
Tuesday 9 January 2018
All12:3513:0513:3514:1014:4515:2015:50
Musgrove Staff Novices' Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 3f 1y | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 14 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 13:36 | Winning time: 5m 1.7s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
£130,000 purchase who hacked up on his British debut at Market Rasen in October (2m good), before a slightly tamer effort next time on soft ground at Bangor, admittedly beaten by a very promising horse (If The Cap Fits). Much respected.
Muhtathir gelding who cost £105,000 at Cheltenham in December 2016, and is a half-brother to five winners. Well beaten on debut in a bumper at Ayr in April, but clearly an interesting sort (given his owners) now switched to hurdles.
Boasts a 50% strike rate in point-to-points (1 from 2), and this Doctor Dino gelding switches to rules racing (and hurdling) for the first time. His dam (Alzasca) was a half-sister to Pacha Du Polder.
The pick of his efforts in bumpers came at Wincanton in March when a 13L runner up to Lalor, but he ended last season with a very moderate effort. Switched to hurdles needing to find further improvement.
Posted a poor hurdles debut at Hereford last month (2m3f soft), when finishing only tenth of eleven to to Paisley Park, and he couldn't be entertained based upon that evidence.
Has shown his strongest form so far going right-handed at Ascot, and was beaten just 2L by Kildisart in a 2m3f maiden hurdle in Berkshire in November. Every chance he'll progress for that initial hurdles experience, and must be thereabouts.
Both of his starts so far have come in Exeter bumpers, and it's fair to say that the latter of those starts was far less convincing than the first. Mountain to climb on hurdles debut.
Cost £32,000 in August following a couple of placed efforts in Irish bumpers (Tramore and Killarney). Beaten 13¼L when fourth of eight to Luckofthedraw on hurdles debut at Ffos Las in November (2m heavy).
A maiden on the Flat (rated just 49), and appeared anything but straightforward on his hurdles debut at Plumpton on Sunday (2m heavy). No chance, especially if proving similarly headstrong.
Runner up to the now Brian Ellison trained Manitowoc County in a 3m point-to-point at Tinahely in October 2016, but just steadily brought along since joining this trainer. One who will be better suited by moving into handicap company.
A three time winner on the Flat (turf) in Ireland for Jim Bolger, staying up to 1m5f (low 60's rated). Moved on since his last start at Dundalk in October, and goes hurdling for the first time for new connections.
Half-brother to prolific French hurdle/chase winner Safre (2m1f-3m). Left his Huntingdon debut effort well behind when a 7L runner up at Warwick in March (bumper). Absent since, and now tries the hurdling route at a realistic level.
Samson looked a man for the future after posting a pleasing debut effort at Southwell in May (2m bumper good), and he acquitted himself well in a stronger contest at Cheltenham next time. More moderate latest, he now goes hurdling.
Cost £22,000 in May 2017 after finishing 3L second to Kings Monarch in a 3m Taylorstown point-to-point. Not shown masses in two starts for this trainer, but he completed (fourth) on hurdles debut at Plumpton (2m4f) and deserves more time.
Forecasts
King Of Realms (11/10), Demon D'Aunou (5/2), Samburu Shujaa (8/1), Darcy Ward (14/1), Cap St Vincent (16/1), Samson The Man (20/1), Daylami Kirk (25/1), Some Ambition (25/1), Marble Moon (33/1), Not A Role Model (66/1), Pirolo (66/1), Lapford Lad (100/1), Just Another Vodka (125/1), Mr Magill (200/1)
A few of these runners should be capable of winning races in time, most notably the hurdling newcomers Samburu Shujaa and Samson The Man, but today's contest appears to rest between Demon D'aunou, Cap St Vincent and KING OF REALMS. The Nicholls trained runner (Cap St Vincent) has been given plenty of time since disappointing at Ayr in April (bumper), but looks one to note in the Gretch and Parkin silks if the market vibes are strong. The Jonjo O'Neill trained runner went into most notebooks when winning on his British debut at Market Rasen, and his Bangor 'disappointment' could be attributed to the softer ground (the winner is a most progressive horse). Therefore, the vote just goes to King Of Realms, who was denied a similar opportunity following the abandonment of Doncaster late last month, but that might prove to be a blessing in disguise, as the pick of his previous efforts have come at right handed tracks, so Taunton should suit him to perfection.
- King Of Realms
- Demon D'aunou
- Cap St Vincent
Prize Money
1st: £5,458.002nd: £1,603.003rd: £801.004th: £401.00
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