13:20 Wincanton
Thursday 1 February 2018
All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45
Carling Novices' Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 3 | 1m 7f 65y | Heavy | 12 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 4m 3.30s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Useful stayer on the Flat for the yard, winning five times from 21 starts in the discipline and rated in the 90's at his peak. Could be the sort to take to hurdles but likely to need this after a break. Market best guide as to chance.
Showed plenty of ability on debut when running Holyrale close in a Uttoxeter bumper (decent effort) but not repeated that in three subsequent efforts. Needs this for a handicap mark, where he will be of more interest.
Not unfancied on debut in a Chepstow novice hurdle but weakened out of things rather too quickly for comfort, and was well beaten. Yard struggling for form at present as well now, so plenty of questions to answer today.
Debut for the yard, far from disgraced behind the useful Friday Night Light (winner for David Pipe) in a Compiegne maiden but likely to need this outing, and others make more appeal. Has had a wind operation since last race.
Easily sets the standard on either of his last two efforts in better company than this, with his close third to Verdana Blue in a competitive handicap hurdle a standout effort. Worry is the form of the yard, which is poor, but an obvious chance.
Wasn't up to much on the Flat and appears no better on two starts over hurdles, finishing tailed off on both occasions. Needs to show more, and that looks unlikely on the available evidence.
Nicely enough bred (half-brother to the useful Art Of Logistics) and showed some promise on debut at Newbury last year, but backward steps since then. May be of more interest in handicaps after today.
His fourth in a maiden hurdle at Huntingdon last November reads well enough in the context of this contest, but not so good on latest run back there and form of yard a worry too. May want better ground and on that, passed over here.
Slowly getting the hang of things and caught the eye at Taunton latest, staying on nicely without landing a blow. Drop back to 2m possibly not ideal, but seems to handle the ground well and has place claims again at the very least.
Breeding suggests we may not see the best of him for a while yet and he's looked in need of the experience on both starts in bumpers at Chepstow so far. Not hard to look elsewhere for the winner,
Point-to-point winner back in 2015 but off for a long time before appearing again last summer. Hasn't shown much in a couple of starts and no realistic chance here.
Useful, if a little frustrating sort for Mark Johnston on the Flat (rated in the 80s), handled soft ground fine but stamina could be an issue on debut today (best form at 7f/1m). Has joined a good yard, however, so deserves respect.
Forecasts
Molineaux (10/11), Aardwolf (7/2), Champagne Champ (4/1), Samson The Man (9/1), Hardness (25/1), Pyrios (25/1), East Wing (33/1), Le Musee (40/1), Turbotim (66/1), Newquay Cards (150/1), Attractive Liason (150/1), Mr Magill (150/1)
On all we know, this looks like Molineaux's to lose but the form of the Colin Tizzard yard means that confidence is tempered somewhat. Instead, the recommendation is a small each-way bet on SAMSON THE MAN, who is progressing nicely and in a race lacking a lot of depth, ought to be able to take a hand in the finish with another small step forward. Aardwolf and Champagne Champ were both useful on the Flat, and preference is for the latter here. He may be able to take third.
- Samson The Man
- Molineaux
- Champagne Champ
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £7,473.002nd: £2,194.003rd: £1,097.004th: £549.00
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