13:05 Taunton
Thursday 13 December 2018
All12:3513:0513:3514:1014:4515:1515:50
Kings College Novices' Hurdle (Div 2)
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 104y | Good | 12 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 13:06 | Winning time: 4m 13.87s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Managed to win a point-to-point but starts under rules have left a little to be desired up to press. Likely to be a bit part player on the form over hurdles so far.
Useful on the Flat for John Oxx in Ireland before joining his illustrious trainer (rated 92 at his best) earlier this year. Sure to have been well schooled for his hurdles bow, the gelding could be too speedy for most of this bunch.
Didn't make much of an impression on debut in a bumper at Warwick in April and has a lot to prove on that evidence. Yard highly respected but this fellow looks well down the pecking order at present.
Won three times over fences in France but well held in both previous starts for his current yard. Down in grade but still has a bit to find.
Improved effort on debut for his new yard last time out suggests he may have a race within him. Needs to prove that wasn't just a flash-in-the-pan though.
Both previous starts over hurdles have lacked sparkle and the gelding looks one be wary of just now. Improvement required even in this low-key event.
May have needed the run when finishing down the field at Huntingdon last month but the way he hung in the closing stages suggests he may not be the most straightforward character. Open to improvement but might need a stronger test.
Yet to capture the imagination and makes limited appeal on the levels of form shown so far. Brought down last time, so also needs to prove that hasn't left any mental scars.
Winner of an Irish point-to-point before making a satisfactory debut under rules at Chepstow last month. Needs to learn to settle a bit better but has ability and can play a big part in a race that lacking in quality.
An average middle distance handicapper on the Flat but isn't overfaced now he switches codes. Interesting for a place if supported in the betting.
lost her way on the Flat and makes limited appeal judging by the modest level of form she showed over hurdles before now. Other readily preferred.
A nicely-bred mare that has shown ability in bumpers up to now - not disgraced in a tough race at Cheltenham last time. Going the right way and worth a betting check now she makes her hurdles debut.
Non-Runners
11
Vards22
Weight: 10-12| Age: 8
T: Jack Barber J: Nick Scholfield
NR
Forecasts
Birds Of Prey (8/11), Paxman (13/2), Vards (13/2), Press Gang (7/1), Oriental Flame (12/1), Espalion (12/1), Nifty At Fifty (16/1), Colditz Castle (16/1), Envole Toi (25/1), Le Ligerien (33/1), Aclassagold (80/1), Just Midas (80/1), Cooperess (100/1)
The weaker of the two divisions with only a small handful appealing as betting propositions. BIRDS OF PREY, a useful recruit from the Flat, is forwarded in the hope he can make progress over hurdles, while Paxman and Oriental Flame are a couple of others worthy of consideration. A betting market move for Vards could also prove to be significant.
- Birds Of Prey
- Paxman
- Oriental Flame
Prize Money
1st: £5,133.002nd: £1,507.003rd: £754.004th: £377.00
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