12:20 Hereford

Tuesday 16 January 2018

All12:2012:5013:2514:0014:3015:0515:4016:10

myracing.com For Free Hereford Tips Juvenile Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 4m 4.3s

Broughtons Admiral¹⁰²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A Ralph

6/1

A ten race Flat maiden, but with placed form over 1m2f to 1m4f. His mark in that sphere was in the low 60's, and he has left Henry Spiller for 18,000 gns since his last appearance in early October. Hurdles debut.

Form:

Cosy Club⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

3/1

Beaten 22L when third on just his second hurdles start at Punchestown in November (2m soft to heavy). Has left Adrian Keatley since, and makes a new start for a trainer who is known to improve horses from lowly beginnings.

Form: 43

Etoo Sport^p1⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hobson

40/1

Bits and pieces of promise in two hurdling runs in France but pulled up on his debut for this yard at Market Rasen (2m, good to soft) in December. Wears cheek-pieces.

Form: 36P

Nigh Or Never^b,t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis

12/1

€100,000 yearling who showed little to justify that price tag on the Flat for Tom Dascombe (rated 55). Better since switched to hurdling; albeit beaten 10L by a long odds on favourite at Ludlow just under a fortnight ago (2m soft).

Form: 72

Pentito Rap⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: T E Whelan| T: B R Millman

100/1

A nine race maiden on the Flat with an official rating in the mid 40's. Made the frame on his first start for six months at Southwell in December (1m), but questionable as to whether hurdling will be his game.

Form:

Percy Thrower⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: James Banks| T: S-J Davies

66/1

A 13 race maiden on the Flat, who at least demonstrated that he stays as far 1m6f at Bath in August (twice placed). Left Charles Hills for 10,000 gns in October and goes hurdling for a new stable.

Form:

Romanor⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁷⁾| T: J W Mullins

14/1

Led in the last strides when winning over 1m3f+ at Windsor in June, earning a mark in the high 70's on the Flat. Left Ed Walker for 35,000 gns in November, and goes hurdling now for new connections.

Form:

Royale Zanzibar²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: T Symonds

12/1

Went close on a couple of occasions in France for Guillaume Macaire, including over 2m1f (good) at Nancy in July. Moved on since, and not totally disgraced on UK debut when finishing eighth of twelve at Newbury last month.

Form: 02-28

Sable Island¹¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy

2/1

Winner of a 1m4f good ground maiden at Chester in August when trained by Sir Michael Stotue. Backed that up with a fair effort at Chepstow next time, and has since moved on for 30,000 gns. Obvious contender on hurdles bow with the champion booked.

Form:

Spirit Of Rome²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington

5/1

50-rated maiden on the Flat (for James Bethell), and moved on for just £7,000 in September. Made a reasonable start for her new stable on hurdles debut at Fontwell on Boxing Day when a 4L runner up to Aiguille Rouge (2m2f soft).

Form: 2

Non-Runners

Marettimo¹⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 4

T: W G M Turner J: Sean Houlihan

Forecasts

Sable Island (2/1), Cosy Club (3/1), Spirit Of Rome (5/1), Broughtons Admiral (6/1), Marettimo (10/1), Royale Zanzibar (12/1), Nigh Or Never (12/1), Romanor (14/1), Etoo Sport (40/1), Percy Thrower (66/1), Pentito Rap (100/1)

A flat track for a plethora of ex-Flat racers in the line up, but with the small matter of a few flights of hurdles to be jumped. Richard Johnson is no stranger to the winners enclosure at his local track, and he partners the Olly Murphy trained hurdles debutante SABLE ISLAND. He showed a fair level of form on the Flat for Sir Michael Stoute, so he would be a tentative pick in an open contest, with the likes of Romanor and Royale Zanzibar being others to consider.