12:30 Warwick

Wednesday 21 November 2018

All12:3013:0013:3014:0514:3515:1015:45

Sodick 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:30 | Winning time: 3m 54.4s

Bbold²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

16/1

Showed enough ability in an Irish point-to-point to attract a £40,000 investment to develop his jumping skills.; but lacked a tactical change of gear in a decent bumper at Cheltenham last month. More required now obstacles are back in the way.

Form: 27

Boland's Mill¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr S Roche⁽⁷⁾| T: T Gallagher

100/1

0-11 in point-to-points and didn't show much in a bumper and one previous outing over hurdles. Big improvement required.

Form: 24/P6-80

Dessie's Diamond⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: D J Coakley

33/1

Ran to more or less the same level in two bumpers at Worcester; dropping enough of a hint to suggest he's got the ability to figure at some point. Possible a sterner test of his stamina will suit once he has more experience.

Form: 33

Generation Gap⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill

25/1

Cost £45,000 after winning a point-to-point but didn't show much on rules debut at Uttoxeter in October. Was outpaced in the closing stages on that occasion; the betting can guide as to whether the drop in trip is expected to suit.

Form: 2-16

Goodthyneaway⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton

100/1

Stablemate of Bbold and looks like the second in command on this occasion after failing to catch the eye in either of his two previous starts for the stable.

Form: 3-47440

Harambe¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| BF

6/4

Held his own in bumpers and looks useful on the pick of those efforts - most notably when third behind a subsequent winner in a Grade 2 at Aintree. Unfortunate to be brought down early on hurdles debut, but still a bright prospect. One to consider.

Form: 123-B

Havana Hermano²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: S Edmunds

50/1

The tank has emptied quickly in both his starts in bumpers, creating the impression he may need to strengthen up a little. Going the right way but is a likely candidate to set things up for a stronger finisher if his jumping holds together.

Form: 3P74

Laughing Luis⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| BF| D

6/1

Showed a good deal of ability to defy a penalty and comprehensively win a bumper at Stratford in August. However, he was a notable disappointment at odds of 1/5 on hurdling debut last time and is now on a retrieval mission.

Form: 74-114

My Mate Mark²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| D

1/1

Tried to make all in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham but was readily brushed aside when push came to shove. Much better with his sights lowered on hurdling debut last time and likely more to come now. Shortlisted.

Form: 210/2

On Parole²⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Murphy

100/1

No impression in a course bumper back in April and easy to overlook given the stronger claims held by many of today's opponents.

Form: 0-

Ostuni³⁷⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls

33/1

Ran green on debut in a bumper at Sandown but was an expensive purchase (€80,000 as a three-year-old), so has the weight of expectation associated with runners of his type from his high-profile yard. Still early days and might need more experience.

Form: 8-

Savanna Roar¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: B Pauling

100/1

Didn't make much progress in three bumpers and posted a moderate effort on his hurdling debut last time out. Hard to fancy on that level of ability and others are readily preferred on this occasion.

Form: 798-5

We've Got Payet²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: O Murphy| D

100/1

Form has been regressive since the gelding made a winning start in a bumper at Uttoxeter in July; made no impact in either start over hurdles and a massive step forward would be needed in this stronger company.

Form: 14957

Forecasts

My Mate Mark (1/1), Harambe (6/4), Laughing Luis (6/1), Bbold (16/1), Generation Gap (25/1), Dessie's Diamond (33/1), Ostuni (33/1), Havana Hermano (50/1), Savanna Roar (100/1), Boland's Mill (100/1), Goodthyneaway (100/1), We've Got Payet (100/1), On Parole (100/1)

A lot of guesswork involved here as a good handful of this lot hold plenty of promise. The likes of: Laughing Luis, Ostuni, and Harambe all represent top yards and are respected accordingly. The last named especially, as her yard won the last three renewals of this race. Bbold and Generation Gap, whose trainers are hardly back numbers in the jumping ranks, also merit betting checks. However, the presence of this potentially progressive bunch can help to make My Mate Mark a very attractive betting proposition in a race that may be a useful reference point in the not too distant future.