13:30 Kempton
Saturday 17 March 2018
All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00
Matchbook Betting Exchange Novices' Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 4  |  2m  |  Good to Soft (Soft in places)  |  8 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 13:30Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 11.9s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
French import, made short work of a maiden hurdle at Plumpton (2m, soft) on his debut for this yard but was surprisingly turned over by Jaisalmer on heavy ground at Fontwell next time. Remains of interest with a visor introduced.
Signs of some ability at big prices before improving to open his account at Plumpton (2m, good) last month, beating Royal Ruby by 1L. Open to further progress but looks vulnerable under a penalty on softer ground.
Promise shown on start in France on soft ground but bitterly disappointing when sent off a well-backed favourite for his British debut at Southwell (2m, soft) last month, pulling up. Too early to write off but clear question marks.
Cost £80,000 after winning a point-to-point but hasn't quite lived up to expectations without being disgraced in a couple of hurdle runs so far, finishing a 34L fourth of 11 at Doncaster last time. Looks more of a chasing type.
80 rated dual 1m2f winner on the Flat for Charles Hills but slightly underwhelming in two novice hurdles before winning a NH Flat event on the AW here earlier this month. Still early days and respected back over hurdles.
Cost €62,000 as a three-year-old and shaped encouragingly in a novice hurdle at Exeter (2m1f, good to soft) first time out in October, finishing a 7L seventh behind Onefortheroadtom. Has had a break since then and no surprise to see him go well.
Won a bumper on his debut at Kempton in March, 2016 and was not disgraced in a better race at Ayr next time. Has to overcome a long absence on his hurdling debut, but is worth a check in the betting.
Winner over hurdles in his native France (very soft ground) and was gelded before undergoing wind surgery ahead of his British debut at Wincanton (2m, soft) when a 7L second to Embole. Should come on for that.
Moderate maiden handicapper on the Flat for Luca Cumani and didn't attract market support when well beaten at Catterick on his hurdling debut for this yard recently. Possibly best watched in the short-term.
Forecasts
Grapevine (7/4), Lord Duveen (11/4), Sao (9/2), Distingo (6/1), Going Gold (9/1), The Premier Celtic (20/1), George Gently (25/1), Mere Ironmonger (25/1), Stylish Dancer (66/1)
Distingo sets the standard here on the form of his Plumpton win but didn't cover himself in glory at Fontwell next time and looks vulnerable under a penalty to potential improvers despite the introduction of a visor. It's hard to believe Grapevine and Sao aren't capable of considerably better than what they've served up so far but LORD DUVEEN may offer more value on the evidence of an eyecatching debut in a decent event at Exeter which has thrown up a few subsequent winners.
- Lord Duveen
- Sao
- Distingo
Prize Money
1st: £4,159.002nd: £1,221.003rd: £611.004th: £305.00
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