15:35 Kempton

Monday 9 April 2018

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

Commission Free Racing At Matchbook Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 6m 36.25s

Kilfilum Cross¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Dave Crosse| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 137

15/8

The best of these on ratings he put in his best effort yet when winning his first hurdle on his third start. Had shown promise prior to that and although his main rivals ran below-par last time he still looks open to further progress.

Form: 421/721

Reikers Island³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: James Best| T: P Hobbs & J White

5/1

Had shown promise before falling on his debut and confirmed that run was a good one when getting off the mark second time out. Showed a good attitude to beat a wayward opponent although he did jump to his right; remains open to improvement.

Form: 4231F1

Criq Rock⁴⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 125

3/1

Made a belated handicap debut on decent ground last time here over 2m5f and shaped better than the bare result. He's got the air of an underachiever so far over hurdles but can't be written off returned to this company and getting weight.

Form: 227-225

De Name Evades Me²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

4/1

A winner in an Irish point-to-point (got the race on a disqualification) he did beat a subsequent dual Hunter Chase winner. He made an encouraging start to life over hurdles (sympathetically handled) over 2m5f here and should improve.

Form: 231234

Stockburn³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 120

7/1

Looks as though he needs a stamina test judged on his three hurdles runs so far and well behind Reikers Island last time with 2m6f around Fontwell not proving stiff enough for him. Will be suited by this test although needs to find some more progress

Form: 08654

Jolly Jet²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L C Jewell

250/1

One completion in three hurdles runs probably sums her up so far and despite the stiffer test here she looks out of her depth.

Form: P9P

Non-Runners

Station Master⁷²

Weight: 12-1| Age: 7

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: M Hamill

As I See It²⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: H Fry J: N P Madden

Follow The Bear⁹⁵

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: N J Henderson J: J McGrath

Circuit Court²⁶

Weight: 11-1| Age: 7

T: P R Webber J: R P McLernon

Cockney Seagull⁹²

Weight: 11-1| Age: 5

T: Mrs L C Jewell J: Joshua Moore

Forecasts

Kilfilum Cross (15/8), Criq Rock (3/1), De Name Evades Me (4/1), As I See It (4/1), Reikers Island (5/1), Station Master (11/2), Stockburn (7/1), Follow The Bear (8/1), Cockney Seagull (100/1), Circuit Court (100/1), Jolly Jet (250/1)

A staying novice hurdle with some depth and interest and CRIQ ROCK may finally be able to get off the mark having shaped well here last time in a handicap looking as though this test would suit. Station Master has to give weight to the entire field but still remains with potential with Kilfilum Cross looking capable of more progress after his winning romp last time. As I See It will find life tougher under a penalty while Reikers Island will be better suited by this right-handed test having jumped out to his right last time. Two others that are of interest would be Stockburn who needs the stiff test and De Name Evades Me who made an encouraging start over hurdles and more can be expected.