Stella Artois Standard Open NH Flat Race

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 4m 28.6s

Harambe⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King

9/4

Looked an above average recruit to the code when showing a good attitude to win at Ludlow on debut (1m6f, soft) in December. Penalised for that success, but step uu in trip can help find improvement and he should be able to go close again.

Form: 1

Thebannerkingrebel²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden

11/8

Dictated and was the 12L winner of a newcomers bumper at Warwick (2m, soft) on debut. Form probably not as strong on paper as Harambe's success, but still visually impressive and certainly entitled to be a leading player again under a penalty.

Form: 1

Baby Ted²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| BF

9/2

Sent off as favourite on debut in the Warwick newcomers' bumper won by Thebannerkingrebel last month, though finished 15L behind that reopposing rival. Looks up against it despite being 7lb better off here.

Form: 3

Barley Hill⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling

6/1

Improved for his Southwell debut when a 2L runner-up at Warwick (2m, heavy) in December. Should be capable of further progress today and will probably need a significant amount to break his duck.

Form: 62

Man Of The North

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Lee Edwards| T: A W Carroll

25/1

Some stamina in his Flat pedigree but is unraced in that code and now makes his racecourse debut under National Hunt rules. Stable in reasonably good form, though 0-20 in bumpers in past five seasons. Looks one to watch.

Form:

Nellemani

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Tom Humphries⁽⁷⁾| T: J Groucott

66/1

Not sold on either visit to the sales, though is a full-sister to a bumper and staying Flat winner and 2m3f hurdle winner Johnny Delta. Nothing wrong with pedigree but trainer 0-15 in bumpers over five season so watching brief prudent.

Form:

Liberty Bella

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: S Bowen| T: B Eckley

25/1

Dam was tailed off in a bumper in her sole start. Grandam a 2m5f hurdle-winning half-sister to very useful 2m-2m7f hurdle/chase winner Scots Grey and two other hurdle/chase winners. Trainer has occasional bumper winner. Market check.

Form:

Forecasts

Thebannerkingrebel (11/8), Harambe (9/4), Baby Ted (9/2), Barley Hill (6/1), Liberty Bella (25/1), Man Of The North (25/1), Nellemani (66/1)

Another tricky race for punters to conclude the card with the top two standing out on paper, but it is tricky to assess what the Warwick win of Thebannerkingrebel is worth in relation to the Ludlow success of HARAMBE. The latter gets the vote as the form is probably at least solid and he is also perhaps open to a bit more improvement for this slightly longer trip. Barley Hill and Baby Ted looks likely to be the other pair capable of having a say today.