15:00 Warwick

Saturday 13 January 2018

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

Ballymore Leamington Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 13.8s

Tikkanbar¹²

Age: 14| Weight: 11-5| J: Unknown| T: N P Mulholland| D

Form: 2110-11

Count Meribel²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: M D Grant| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138| BF

3/1

Keeps improving and followed up easy Ascot win with another solid effort at Cheltenham, appearing to run out of stamina late on after looking the winner. Drop back in trip ideal and if repeating that effort, has to be on the premises.

Form: 22-1112

Calett Mad⁵⁷

Age: 13| Weight: 11-0| J: Unknown| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 141| BF

Form: 952-115

Carlos Du Fruitier²⁹

Age: 13| Weight: 11-0| J: Unknown| T: B Pauling| OR: 127| BF| C

Form: 120-21F

Cave Top¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David England| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 128

20/1

Winner of three of his last four handicaps, seems to enjoy soft/heavy conditions and trip fine, but takes a big step up in grade here and needs to progress again. Not impossible he'll do that, but plenty on plate here and others look more likely.

Form: 35-1211

Chooseyourweapon³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 132

9/2

Unbeaten in three, a point-to-point and two novice hurdles in heavy ground at Chepstow, looking a useful prospect in the process. Extra distance here can only help, and although a bit to find, it would be folly to underestimate his chance.

Form: 1-11

Equus Secretus²⁸

Age: 13| Weight: 11-0| J: Unknown| T: B Pauling| OR: 139

Form: 1-113

Flawless Escape¹⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Unknown| T: G Elliott

Form: 2-121

Knight In Dubai³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

16/1

Point-to-point winner (second there an easy winner for Nicky Henderson of a Newbury novice hurdle) and did it nicely on hurdles debut at Wetherby last month, despite being keen. Unexposed and from top yard, and isn't out of this if progressing.

Form: 21-51

Mr Whipped²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| D

6/4

Has still looked green when winning a couple of novice hurdles this year, but well on top at the finish at Newbury (under a penalty) on latest start and looks smart. Possible to knock that form, but clear chance all the same, and should go close.

Form: 1-11

Noble Robin⁵⁰

Age: 14| Weight: 11-0| J: Unknown| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 128

Form: 1/4-1

Paisley Park²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Miss E C Lavelle

9/2

Bumped into a useful sort on bumper debut here and then took advantage of the odds-on favourite making a mistake to score over hurdles at Hereford. Trip and likely ground both fine, needs more here but another to add spice to an intriguing contest.

Form: 2-1

Rio Quinto²⁵

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Unknown| T: O Murphy

Form: 3-201

Forecasts

Mr Whipped (6/4), Count Meribel (3/1), Paisley Park (9/2), Chooseyourweapon (9/2), Knight In Dubai (16/1), Cave Top (20/1)

An interesting little contest. Count Meribel is likely to make a bold bid from the front and if allowed to get in a rhythm, could prove hard to pass. Mr Whipped has done little wrong but looks short enough in the betting, and a chance is taken on KNIGHT OF DUBAI to spring the surprise. He's got a bit to find on form, but couldn't have done it any easier on his hurdles debut and his point form gives hope that he can leave that form behind. Chooseyourweapon is another to impress with his attitude and this may be a bit more open than the market suggests.