13:20 Lingfield

Tuesday 13 November 2018

All12:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:50

British Stallions 'National Hunt' EBF Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:21 | Winning time: 5m 1.50s

Down The Highway²⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle

9/2

Cost £80,000 in March, after winning an Irish point-to-point on debut (soft/heavy). Has a Flat pedigree, but looks a potentially useful recruit to this code and a good debut would not surprise. Market check.

Form: 1-

Et Moi Alors²¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129

9/4

Looked like winning when falling at the last on debut at Ascot (soft) in January, before being beaten favourite at Sandown (heavy) next time. Improved on that in Grade 1 at Aintree when last seen. Can go close to breaking his duck.

Form: F26-

Marocchino¹⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon

66/1

Didn't show much for James Ewart and joined current connections in the spring for £6,000. Probably one to watch on his hurdles debut.

Form: 0/7-6

Mercy Mercy Me²¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: F O'Brien

8/13

Bumper winner (good to soft) at Sandown a year ago and bettered that when a very respectable eighth in the big one at Cheltenham in March. Looks a useful recruit to this sphere and a clear round should see him in the mix.

Form: 187-

Soarlikeaneagle¹⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: A Glassonbury| T: R Rowe

33/1

Won an Irish point-to-point at the second attempt and changed hands for £17,000 soon after. Stable not noted for debut winners, but still worth checking in the market.

Form: 3-1

Cavok²³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling

8/1

Scored by 10L on her Irish point-to-point debut and ran well on rules debut in a Chepstow bumper (soft) in March. Should improve for that experience and another summer under her belt. Interesting newcomer to hurdles.

Form: 13-

Impulsive Leader^h1¹⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Tom Cheesman⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison

66/1

Unable to win in point-to-points, a bumper or a hurdle in Ireland and was bought by this trainer for £5,000 in May. Can only watch on her stable debut.

Form: P/3265-0

Pomme De Nuit¹⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Conor Shoemark| T: M Keighley

80/1

Yet to show much in two bumpers. Bred to jump, but this is a hot enough contest for her to be making her debut over hurdles from what we have seen.

Form: 8-0

Non-Runners

Beet Topper¹⁶⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: Miss A M Newton-Smith J: J McGrath

Forecasts

Mercy Mercy Me (8/13), Et Moi Alors (9/4), Down The Highway (9/2), Cavok (8/1), Soarlikeaneagle (33/1), Beet Topper (50/1), Impulsive Leader (66/1), Marocchino (66/1), Pomme De Nuit (80/1)

An interesting novices' hurdle and we'll side with the experience of ET MOI ALORS to prove vital in getting him off the mark over hurdles. He looked very likely to have won on debut last season, but for coming a cropper at the last, and he can finally atone. Mercy Mercy Me could be a serious danger if taking to this discipline, while Down The Highway and Cavok are newcomers who are well worth monitoring in the market.