13:50 Warwick

Friday 23 February 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3016:0516:4017:10

British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 4m 54.20s

Indian Hawk²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| BF

7/4

Bought for £110,000 on the back of an impressive point-to-point victory. Scored on his debut for top connections by 8L although his head carriage made him look awkward. Poor next time but this is easier and the yard's runners do well in this.

Form: 2-118

Lisdoonvarna Lad³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 132

2/1

Impressive Wetherby winner who was not disgraced in a Grade 2 last time. Has clocked some good times on those occasions and stable are going well at present.

Form: 2813

Earcomestom⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: P A Pritchard

200/1

Well beaten on all starts to date and unlikely we will see the best of him until competing in lower grade handicaps.

Form: 4-P0087

Kerry's Boy^t1¹¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: B PaulingWS

25/1

Fourth foal who cost £27,000 as a three-year-old, and whose dam was a half-sister to the smart 2m hurdler/chaser St Pirran. Too keen on Cheltenham debut when eventually pulled up and has undergone wind surgery since.

Form: P

Lygon Rock³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 123

11/4

Finished clear of the third, who has won since, when flattered by his proximity to the winner last time. Stable 5-8 in past 14 days and this progressive sort receives a favourable allowance.

Form: 6-422

Sliding Doors¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams

80/1

Showed some promise in bumpers but so far has failed to show much aptitude for hurdling. In a strong heat here and probably has too much to learn.

Form: 234-807

Weebill²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy

7/1

Highly regarded and has shown enough to suggest he will be winning races for this emerging yard. Early interference last time left him with too much to do and he did well to finish third. This is a tougher test, but he still warrants a market check.

Form: 433

Zebi Boy¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

100/1

Well-bred recruit from a top yard but few signs of ability in his brief career to date. In a tough contest here and probably has too much to find.

Form: P77

Zara's Reflection^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: C Gethings| T: B I Case

150/1

Has regressed since her bumper debut in May. Finished last in a weaker race than this last time and it will be a surprise if she improved enough to take this.

Form: 597007

Forecasts

Indian Hawk (7/4), Lisdoonvarna Lad (2/1), Lygon Rock (11/4), Weebill (7/1), Kerry's Boy (25/1), Sliding Doors (80/1), Zebi Boy (100/1), Zara's Reflection (150/1), Earcomestom (200/1)

Indian Hawk poses a big question in this as he represents a top stable that like to target this race and given the ability he showed between the flags and on his rules debut. On the latter occasion he also revealed an awkward head carriage which may have been the sign of greenness or a potential wayward streak. The way he downed tools next time may confirm the latter or that there was a physical problem. With those doubts persisting LISDOONVARNA LAD looks a safer option. Charlie Longsdon's charge has the best form on offer and the stable are in good shape at present. Lygon Rock represents another stable that are going well and one which took this in 2016.