16:20 Southwell

Wednesday 10 October 2018

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:50

Mintbet Download The App On iOS & Android 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 5m 12.10s

The Captain¹⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: R T Dunne| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 107

8/1

Has hinted at ability in three runs so far under Rules but has plenty of weight and will need to raise his game again as he makes his handicap debut. Not out of it though.

Form: P/26-53

Asking Questions^t,v¹⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 107| BF

6/1

Won two novice chases at Carlisle last term (both on soft/heavy ground) so knows how to get the job done. Returns from six-month break and would prefer more give in the ground but shouldn't be too far away.

Form: 636112-

Scottshill^p1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 105

14/1

Runner-up in Sedgefield bumper in January for previous handler but has made little impression in four novice hurdles since, including on handicap debut last time. Should strip fitter now but may need help from the handicapper.

Form: 3290-60

The Groovy Hoovy¹³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 105

15/2

Narrowly beaten on racecourse bow at Worcester last summer in 2m bumper, but hasn't cut much ice since in five starts since over timber. Pulled up last time on first run since wind op and looks a risky proposition.

Form: 29547-P

Little Allstar^t¹¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: James Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 102

12/1

Generally disappointing in five starts to date but hinted at a little ability when fourth at Huntingdon last March. Back from four month break after trying his luck over fences in early-summer.

Form: 37774-6

Chosen Tribe^t⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr T A McClorey⁽⁷⁾| T: Julia Saunders| OR: 100

40/1

Second in Stratford novice hurdle in April 2017 but beaten in four point-to-points since and pulled up over hurdles last time at Bangor. Hard to enthuse over given over all winless profile.

Form: 2/2-P22P

Nicely Indeed³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: P A Kirby| OR: 99

7/1

Won two bumpers back in 2015 and looked a fair prospect but hasn't met expectations overall although twice went close in October 2017. Mark has fallen 20lb since then but not out of it on the pick of his old form.

Form: 848P-87

Oscar World²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: M Keighley| OR: 99

4/1

Ran well in a couple of bumpers last autumn and has shown enough over hurdles to suggest he can win a race or two. Doesn't look overburdened on handicap bow in a weak race and is of definite interest.

Form: 24256-6

Torrent Des Mottes^p1,t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: J R Cornwall| OR: 98

100/1

Runner-up in both his Irish bumpers last year for Willie Mullins but hasn't gone on from there under current handling. Beaten a very long way on all thee starts this season and is impossible to fancy on that basis.

Form: P32668

Lara Trot¹⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Nixon⁽⁷⁾| T: R Dickin| OR: 97

20/1

Modest mare well beaten in all five starts under Rules over hurdles having also failed to score in point-to-points. Steps back up in trip now but plenty of others make mroe appeal.

Form: 4P779-P

Black Anthem¹⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: B Barr| OR: 95

5/1

15-race maiden but sometimes shows up in fair form and ran well enough when last seen at Fontwell in May to suggest he may have place claims in this company if fit enough following a long summer break.

Form: 77PP6-3

It's Buster⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 93

12/1

Yard having a quiet time but belied 33/1 odds when respectable third at Cartmel in July when last seen in action. Runs off the same mark so a decent show cannnot be ruled out.

Form: 78-4F93

Belle's Spirit^p1¹⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽⁵⁾| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 85

33/1

Showed nothing last term at long odds and makes a fresh start here for a new handler with first-time cheekpieces applied. Begins handicap career off very low mark but is still hard to fancy.

Form: 9P000-

Welcome Polly⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Conor Shoemark| T: D Skelton| OR: 83WS

20/1

One of the lesser lights in this very powerful yard, she has yet to reach a place in eight starts and returns following wind surgery having been well beaten in all three runs this summer. Dwn 4lb but much more needed.

Form: 6PP-688

Forecasts

Oscar World (4/1), Black Anthem (5/1), Asking Questions (6/1), Nicely Indeed (7/1), The Groovy Hoovy (15/2), The Captain (8/1), It's Buster (12/1), Little Allstar (12/1), Scottshill (14/1), Welcome Polly (20/1), Lara Trot (20/1), Belle's Spirit (33/1), Chosen Tribe (40/1), Torrent Des Mottes (100/1)

The majority of these have little to recommend them but OSCAR WORLD looks capable of improvement having shown ability and has been handed an attractive mark for her handicap hurdle debut. The Captain is another who should win a race but he has to give away weight all round, while Asking Questions has won over fences and a bold display cannot be ruled out, especially if there is a drop of rain. The likes of It's Buster and Black Anthem are also up to getting involved if on a going day.