14:20 Stratford

Saturday 8 September 2018

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:50

City Sign & Graphics Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 3m 53.10s

Competition^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 127| BF| D

1/2

Carries a double penalty for back-to-back wins at Uttoxeter in July. Narrowly failed last time out at Fontwell where errors at the last two flights cost him. Jumping is his weakness but form a long way clear so can defy his weight.

Form: 0/2-P112

Blue Merlin¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

50/1

Not achieved a great deal in four starts to date, the last two over hurdles. Tailed-off from four out at Worcester latest and will need a huge step forward to be involved here.

Form: 8-458

Noah And The Ark³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

14/1

Bought for £20,000 after winning a point-to-point at Flete Park. Disappointed first time here in a bumper and then too keen on hurdles bow. Slightly better at Bangor latest but will probably start to improve when upped in trip.

Form: 1-655

Panko³²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales

2/1

84 rated five time winner on the flat at up to 1m4f makes his hurdles debut here. Won twice for this yard this summer so arrives race-fit and has enough ability to make into a useful hurdler if he takes to it.

Form:

Texan Nomad^h³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: R Harris

40/1

Just minor promise in three bumpers at Uttoxeter and Worcester twice. Fourth of five and fourth of 11 at same venues respectively over hurdles. More needed but signs of progress.

Form: R/465-44

Tripartite^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: P W Middleton

40/1

Rated 65 on the flat where his record is 3-23. Two starts over hurdles so far saw him tailed off here and at Huntingdon. Flat form since not sparkling either so hard to be optimistic.

Form: 75

Stop Talking¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish

25/1

Maiden point to pointer, half-sister to a 3m hurdles winner. Last of seven on debut under rules at Cartmel and hard to find a great deal to get excited about there. Much more needed.

Form: PP-337

Non-Runners

Muilean Na Madog¹⁰

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: D G Bridgwater J: Daniel Hiskett

Forecasts

Competition (1/2), Panko (2/1), Noah And The Ark (14/1), Stop Talking (25/1), Tripartite (40/1), Texan Nomad (40/1), Blue Merlin (50/1), Muilean Na Madog (50/1)

Dr Richard Newland does well here and looks to have found COMPETITION an exceptional chance to gain a third win over hurdles. He doesn't always jump fluently but on all known form if he gets round he should win. The only realistic option to oppose him is hurdles debutant Panko who has more than enough ability on the flat to make up into a winning hurdler and if he jumps well he could prove a tough adversary in receipt of 10lbs. Texan Nomad is just about the best of the rest.