15:25 Towcester

Thursday 1 February 2018

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

Star Sports Daily Specials Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 5m 6.02s

Dr Des⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 139

4/7

Has improved with each run over hurdles and his second in an Ascot Grade 2 last time saw him enjoy a 10L turnaround with the horse that beat him on his penultimate start. Expected to do even better over this longer trip and sets a high standard.

Form: 3-42122

Babytaggle^h1⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams

11/1

Point-to-point winner on heavy ground in February but too keen on his two latest starts. Hood fitted now but he still looks out of his depth.

Form: 8313-UP

Cuban Pete¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams

28/1

Well beaten on both starts and has yet to show any glimpses of ability. Looks out of his depth in such exalted company.

Form: 76

Du Destin²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

10/1

€70,000 three-year-old purchase who has been green on both starts to date. Stable have a 9-18 record with hurdlers here over the past five seasons, but he has plenty to find in order to trouble the likes of Dr Des.

Form: 09

Hier Encore²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R T Dunne| T: N Dunger

50/1

Without a win after 12 races on the Flat, he tried his luck at hurdling last time and finished a well beaten eighth of 13 at Plumpton on his debut for this stable. Needs to take a big step forward if he is to get involved.

Form: 8

Mega Mind²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: A Nicol| T: S Thomas

100/1

Cost just £4,500 earlier in the year and reflected that on all starts under rules. Has plenty to find in this company.

Form: F6-7P0

Poyntzpass¹⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: T Dowling⁽⁵⁾| T: R C Harper

100/1

Dual point-to-point winner who has been well beaten in maiden/novice hurdles. Out of his depth at this level.

Form: 1-2P353

Voie Dans Voie⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

7/4

Ex-Irish point-to-pointer from the family of Montbazon. Signs of ability on both hurdling starts and looks the type to improve for this stiff test.

Form: 32-35

Judge Judy

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Mrs L Hill

25/1

Oscar mare out of a 2m5f hurdle winner who stayed up to 3m. Highly tried on hurdling debut, but that pedigree could be enough to see her make the frame in a race lacking depth.

Form:

Forecasts

Dr Des (4/7), Voie Dans Voie (7/4), Du Destin (10/1), Babytaggle (11/1), Judge Judy (25/1), Cuban Pete (28/1), Hier Encore (50/1), Poyntzpass (100/1), Mega Mind (100/1)

DR DES has taken well to hurdling and his latest effort in Grade 2 company puts him on a different level to his rivals and connections expect him to do even better over this longer trip. Du Destin has been green on both starts and, although expected to improve, he has an awful lot to find. Voie Dans Voie looks the one most likely to give the selection a race, although he would need that rival to underperform in order to win. Judge Judy is a nicely bred newcomer who could make the frame at a good price.