13:50 Kempton

Friday 9 February 2018

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:35

Commission Free Racing At Matchbook Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 5m 27.75s

Battle Of Ideas³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 125| D

25/1

This is easier than the Chepstow handicap he was pulled-up in last time out but that was still hardly an encouraging effort despite winning at Plumpton two starts back.

Form: 42-731P

Chosen Path⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

5/1

Unseated rider when carrying a penalty at Exeter last time out but was still in touch at the time. Has another penalty today but so do a few of these and he has a chance if keeping the partnership intact.

Form: 3-1U

Marten⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling| BF

12/1

Disappointing favourite at Bangor last time when finishing only sixth having made a winning debut over obstacles. However this yard was out of form at the time and has recently enjoyed more success.

Form: 510-16

Ok Corral²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138| BF| C

1/1

Slightly disappointing when second at Newbury last time out (had been sent off odds-on favourite) but may have needed that after an absence and could be worth another chance here.

Form: 12/12

Run To Milan^h³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 132

4/1

Off the mark over hurdles at Exeter last time and steps up in trip again here. Progressive but needs to brush up on his jumping to get competitive in this deeper contest.

Form: 10-21

Ballintara³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: M Goldstein| T: Mrs D Grissell

100/1

Slightly outran his 100/1 price at Plumpton last time but still beaten a long way and unlikely to play a leading role in this.

Form: F37-04

Chato³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: A King

28/1

Bumper winner in 2016 but well-beaten in two starts over hurdles so far and doesn't appear to be particularly progressive either.

Form: 1276-4

Chimes Of Dylan³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King

150/1

Only moderate form in bumpers and beaten 34L on hurdling debut at Doncaster last time out. Needs a big step forward in a competitive enough field.

Form: 6-4075

Earth Storm³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N P Madden| T: Jack Barber

100/1

Point-to-point winner last April but no impression in two starts over hurdles so far (sent off a big price for both races). Others hold more convincing claims.

Form: 1-79

Get Out The Gate⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls

8/1

Point-to-point winner who ran a fair race on debut under rules at Sandown in December. Profile suggests this step up in trip should help but he may want a fence in time.

Form: 14

Stockburn⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

66/1

Down the field in two bumpers and a novice hurdle so far. Slightly up in trip here but no indication that will bring about the requisite improvement.

Form: 086

Wallace Spirit⁵¹

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

50/1

Yet to show much on two starts for this top trainer, and is definitely the yard's second string in this contest.

Form: 7P

Forecasts

Ok Corral (1/1), Run To Milan (4/1), Chosen Path (5/1), Get Out The Gate (8/1), Marten (12/1), Battle Of Ideas (25/1), Chato (28/1), Wallace Spirit (50/1), Stockburn (66/1), Ballintara (100/1), Earth Storm (100/1), Chimes Of Dylan (150/1)

A few of these have shown good form over hurdles so far but it may be worth giving OK CORRAL another chance. Beaten off the back of an absence at Newbury last time out Nicky Henderson's charge has still shaped with plenty of promise up to now and with the benefit of that run should have plenty more to offer. This won't be an easy task though, with the likes of Marten, for the newly in-form Ben Pauling, and the very unexposed Chosen Path among the competition.