12:10 Newbury
Friday 30 November 2018
All12:1012:4513:2013:5014:2515:0015:35
Ladbrokes 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle
- 4YO plus  |  Class 3  |  2m 69y  |  Soft (Good to Soft in places)  |  20 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 12:11Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 3.8s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Second to the useful Western Ryder in final start for Colin Tizzard and further evidence that he is well up to winning a maiden hurdle when third on stable bow after a 338 day absence. Runner-up there since won a Grade Two so form very strong.
Bought for €48,000 after finishing second in a point-to-point but found things happening too quickly in Chepstow bumper last month. Should improve for the run but likely need further before he can excel. Trainer/jockey won this last year.
Looked a smart prospect all the way back in 2015/16 as he landed bumpers at Newcastle and Wetherby, the second of which saw him beat subsequently high class Sam Spinner by 4½L. Returns now from a 973 day absence so hard to know what to expect.
Maiden of 10 point-to-point has failed to manage better than eighth in three subsequent starts under rules and been beaten 33L and 27L in two starts over hurdles. Impossible to fancy.
Moderate form in a couple of bumpers but better when third to the improving Grand Sancy at Wincanton latest. Soft ground didn't suit here last season so the quicker the ground the better and place hopes if the rain stays away.
Third in lone point-to-point but beaten some 22L. Half-brother to a few winners but unless the market speaks in his favour, may be best watched here.
Wincanton bumper winner on debut recently made his hurdles bow at Chepstow finishing a well-beaten but nevertheless promising third of 16. Realistic each-way claims here if taking his chance. Also declared at Taunton on Thursday.
Beaten 61L and 41L in a pair of bumpers late last season. Should fare better with time now over obstacles but can only be watched here.
Too keen considering heavy ground on debut at Sandown and paid the price eventually finishing 34L eighth of 11 in a bumper. Should be more to come but will need a huge step forward to be involved here.
Easy winner of second of two point-to-points but subsequently disqualified for prohibited substance. Fetched €42,000 subsequently at auction and should in time win races although suspect this may come too soon.
Newcomer by Sixties Icon is a half-brother to four winners over jumps, one of which won a bumper also. Yard capable of readying one first time up but he appears stable second string on jockey booking so best watched here.
Promise of Fontwell bumper win saw him tackle the Champion Bumper and understandably struggled. Promising start over hurdles as he finished fifth at Cheltenham beaten only 7L and looks stronger of two runners for last year's winning yard.
Failed to win in three attempts in Irish point-to-points but was a beaten favourite in the last two. Tailed off and beaten out of sight in a Chepstow bumper earlier this month so easy to dismiss here.
Just minor promise in a pair of bumpers and was very novicey in his hurdles debut earlier this month as he eventually tailed in last of seven. Should improve given top connections but not seen enough to recommend him yet.
Kempton bumper winner on debut ran decent enough races the next twice in similar contests finishing sixth and seventh, the latest after a 931 day absence. Hopefully can get a clear run this season but up against it here.
Never better than seventh in three bumpers and beaten 67L and 25L in two recent novice hurdles. Time on his side still but not seen nearly enough to recommend him here.
Impressive Kempton bumper winner was next a respectable fifth (of 20) in an Ascot Grade Two. Favourite for hurdles debut at Sandown but had to settle for clear second 19 days ago. Form very strong overall and leading contender here.
Winner of two of his three bumpers, the most recent as favourite at Cheltenham where he came through strongly to prevail by ½L. Smart prospect now as he goes hurdling for the first time and should make presence felt here.
Southwell bumper winner on debut but found things tougher next in a stronger Worcester contest. Now goes hurdling and has some ability but only minor place claims here.
Some promise in bumpers although unable to land one. Decent effort latest over hurdles as he finished sixth of 14 at Sandown but that gives him some 15½L to find with second place Severano so task remains tough.
Forecasts
Strong Glance (5/2), Sevarano (7/2), Bang On Frankie (7/2), Betameche (7/1), Dashel Drasher (9/1), Jaytrack Parkhomes (10/1), Bright Forecast (20/1), Brigade of Guards (40/1), Beaufort West (50/1), Howling Milan (50/1), Mere Ironmonger (50/1), Fat Sam (66/1), West To The Bridge (100/1), Discko Des Plages (100/1), Savanna Roar (100/1), Iconic Muddle (100/1), Melchior King (125/1), The Rocket Park (125/1), Megalodon (200/1), Boland's Mill (250/1)
In a race lacking strength in depth two contenders rather stand out and preference is for Oliver Sherwood's SEVERANO who followed up his useful bumper form by finishing second at Sandown on heavy ground. There should be more to come now with fitness and experience added and he gets the nod over Bang On Frankie whose Cheltenham third is working out really well. Dual bumper winners Strong Glance and Betameche are the most appealing first time hurdles runners with the former preferred given Betameche's near three-year absence.
- Sevarano
- Bang On Frankie
- Strong Glance
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £6,758.002nd: £1,984.003rd: £992.004th: £496.00
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