13:15 Wetherby

Wednesday 28 November 2018

All12:1512:4513:1513:5014:2014:5015:25

racinguk.com Novices' Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 13:16 | Winning time: 3m 58.00s

Casimir Du Clos²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: W Coltherd

200/1

Well held on his only Flat (1m2f) outing in France and pulled-up in his sole point-to-point. Fared little better in his two novice hurdles so far the second coming after a break over 4f further here last time; hard to make a case for.

Form: P/5-7

Charming Dream^t1⁵⁸⁸

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

22/1

Fair form when with Guillaume Macaire in France progressing gently over hurdles in 2017 before being gelded and having a wind op this year. Now makes his debut for his current yard with the market likely to provide some valuable clues.

Form: P63/

Encore Champs³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| D

9/4

Run well in two bumpers separated by a break of 5 months finishing 2nd on his debut at Market Rasen to a subsequent hurdles winner. Followed that up with a win a Ffos Las (form franked); still looked green but has obvious ability; hurdles debut.

Form: 21

Extra Mag

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe

14/1

With the yard last year but didn't run having won a Flat maiden over 1m5f in soft conditions. Apparently strengthened up and matured now and starts his hurdles career; type this yard do well with and worth noting in the market.

Form:

Lord Yeats⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Joe Colliver| T: Jedd O'Keeffe

11/10

Smart stayer on the Flat (has won in Listed class over 1m4f; rated 106 when last seen in a handicap). Dam was a 2m hurdle winner and if he can translate his Flat ability to this sphere he will be hard to beat; high-quality recruit to hurdling.

Form:

Mistiroc¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J & S Quinn

8/1

Useful on the Flat at up to 1m4f he was rated 95 when last seen in that sphere although he never really fired this year. Looks sure to improve on his debut over hurdles at Hexham where he travelled well but was denied a run; adds depth to the race.

Form: 4

Rollerball Rocco³²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: C T Pogson

100/1

Three unsuccessful attempts in point-to-points; finished 2nd on his last attempt in that sphere (beaten 5L). Made only a limited impression in his three hurdles starts so far not looking an easy ride and faces a stiff task here.

Form: 762/407-

Smackwater Jack¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy

9/2

Has looked a rather luckless sort so far just being touched off on his Fakenham bumper debut (jinked just before line). Then departed just after getting into the race at Aintree last time; yet to be asked for an effort, clearly has ability.

Form: 2-F

Non-Runners

Smiths Cross¹⁷

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: M Scudamore J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

Lord Yeats (11/10), Encore Champs (9/4), Smiths Cross (7/2), Smackwater Jack (9/2), Mistiroc (8/1), Extra Mag (14/1), Charming Dream (22/1), Rollerball Rocco (100/1), Casimir Du Clos (200/1)

This looks a treat with plenty of interest amongst the runners and it’s hard to rule out all bar two of the runners. The classy Flat sorts Lord Yeats and Mistiroc are sure to attract plenty of attention with the former of that duo reported to have schooled well at home while the latter has some experience he can put to good use. Extra Mag and Charming Dream both make their GB/stable debuts with the market likely to provide clues as to their chance. Smackwater Jack has been unlucky so far and Smiths Cross is sure to win over hurdles. ENCORE CHAMPS comes from a yard with a good strike-rate here and taken to score on his hurdles debut having been a recent costly purchase.