Bryan And Ilva Westcott Memorial Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 5m 9.90s

Motueka^b1,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 123| D

15/8

Good effort to finish second latest (rider lost his whip two-out) and sound claims is able to build on that performance. The drop in trip is also likely to suit. Wears blinkers for the first time but still shown enough to be a leading contender.

Form: 54P-122

Avocadeau²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: W S Kittow

80/1

Winner over an extended 1m3f on the Flat but hasn't shown much in two starts over hurdles to date. Has experience of this course but makes limited appeal now he steps up in trip once more.

Form: 85

Cornelius Socks¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: Miss J Du Plessis

125/1

Very difficult to draw any conclusions after the (eight-year-old) gelding unseated his rider at the first flight on his belated hurdles debut last month. Probably safe to leave out of the betting plans for the time being.

Form: U

En Meme Temps^h1²¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: T Lacey

9/4

Lost his place around the half-way stage on his debut in a bumper at Chepstow and has a lot to prove after that moderate effort. Will wear a hood as a concentration aid for this debut over hurdles but still best watched.

Form: 6-

Inspireus¹¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Kevin Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 105

16/1

Yet to start at single-figure odds bu did show improvement last time and, as this lacks strength-in-depth, a similar effort could see the gelding make the frame. Risky for win only purposes over a trip which may be his absolute limit, though.

Form: 445-74

Kazawi⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: R Stephens

9/1

Showed promise without winning on the Flat for Roger Charlton (rated 81 at his best) and seems versatile regarding ground preference. However, needs to prove he has the stamina to cope over this new trip and is yet to jump a hurdle in public.

Form:

Super Scorpion^h,t1⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 122

9/4

Drying ground in his favour and has more experience than most. Won over 3m over fences, so the trip should suit. First run in a hood and tongue-tie combination; sound claims of at least making the frame if the application has the desired effect.

Form: 435-325

Forecasts

Motueka (15/8), Super Scorpion (9/4), En Meme Temps (9/4), Kazawi (9/1), Inspireus (16/1), Avocadeau (80/1), Cornelius Socks (125/1)

MOTUEKA knows what it takes to win over this sort of trip and, having held his form well since winning at Uttoxeter in July, the gelding could take some stopping in this modest company despite picking up a 6lb penalty. Super Scorpion is closely matched with the selection on official ratings and is rated as big threat on these terms (5lb well in with his main rival). Inspireus stepped things up a notch last time out and can make the frame if he gets the trip. He is fancied to emerge as the best of the rest.