14:30 Kempton

Monday 9 April 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:2017:50

Matchbook Betting Exchange Novices' Hurdle (Div 2)

Off time: 14:38 | Winning time: 4m 9.30s

Destrier⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 128| D

2/1

Scored on his first two hurdles starts revelling in the soft conditions but was found out in a better grade and on a quicker surface last time out over C&D. Carries a double penalty here but will appreciate the drop back to easier company.

Form: 0-115

Nelson's Touch²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D A Jacob| T: J W Mullins| D

5/2

Has run in some good events in his career (often shaped with promise) and given a slightly easier task last time out duly opened his account. Travelled well throughout that race and stayed on well; now carries a penalty in a bid to follow-up.

Form: 240-571

Notre Ami^h³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: N J Gifford| OR: 122| D

9/4

Possibly didn't have to show much improvement when winning a Sandown novice having looked exposed (both market rivals ran poorly). Given a tougher test last time back over further in a handicap he was exposed and may find this easier.

Form: 46221P

Gothic Empire⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: A Glassonbury| T: R Rowe

40/1

Has shown some useful form on the Flat (winner off a mark of 85) he's not quite lived up to that mark of late. Now goes hurdling for the first time and should stay this 2m trip (stays 1m3f on the Flat).

Form:

Kloud Gate¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore

25/1

Useful on the Flat when trained in France (stays well) he was well held on his first hurdles run for this yard (didn't settle fully). Made several mistakes in the closing stages and this run will reveal more of what to expect of him over hurdles.

Form: 6

Sandford Castle⁷¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: J Farrelly| OR: 110

25/1

Maiden hurdler who was last seen in handicaps (showed some potential) but now has a long absence to overcome; best watched here.

Form: 503368/

Sanok⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: P E Cowley

50/1

Won three of his six starts on the Flat when trained in the Czech Republic but has shown very little since running in GB over hurdles. Pulled hard last time and soon beaten and only of limited interest.

Form: P/P6

Involve¹¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: M Hamill⁽⁵⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

50/1

Makes his hurdles debut now having shown only modest form in two bumpers and made no progress at all from his debut run the second time out. Hard to construct a case for him here.

Form: 86

Working Class⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁷⁾| T: O Sherwood

7/1

A useful performer on the Flat (raced at up to a mile) he shaped well on his hurdles debut but despite finishing placed still has his stamina to prove. Failed to complete last time (brought down) and given another chance here.

Form: 3B

Her Dream^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss C Dyson

100/1

Well beaten in a couple of bumpers her start to life over hurdles hardly showed any improvement and she was pulled-up quickly after nearly refusing at the first. Given her form os far can only be watched.

Form: 7-UP

Legend Of France^h²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: N P Madden| T: P Phelan

66/1

After gaining some experience in a couple of bumpers she offered something to work on when sent hurdling on her debut. Has failed to build on that run though in two starts since and makes limited appeal here.

Form: 66468

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 15p in the pound

Non-Runners

Mere Ironmonger⁷²³

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: B G Powell J: Paul O'Brien

Elixir De Nutz⁷²

Weight: 10-8| Age: 4

T: P Hobbs & J White J: T J O'Brien

Forecasts

Destrier (2/1), Notre Ami (9/4), Nelson's Touch (5/2), Elixir De Nutz (5/1), Working Class (7/1), Mere Ironmonger (8/1), Kloud Gate (25/1), Sandford Castle (25/1), Gothic Empire (40/1), Sanok (50/1), Involve (50/1), Legend Of France (66/1), Her Dream (100/1)

This doesn’t look as strong or as deep as the first division with DESTRIER having already won twice over hurdles looking sure to appreciate this drop in grade and despite the double penalty he can get back to winning ways. The two other penalised runner’s Nelson’s Touch and Notre Ami also set a decent standard with the former preferred of that duo. There are some ex-useful Flat performers here who may take a hand with Gothic Empire, Kloud Gate and Working Class amongst that group. Elixir De Nutz will find this more suitable than the stiff task he faced last time while Mere Ironmonger should be watched in the market; it’s hard to forget his taking bumper debut here in 2016.