14:45 Newbury

Wednesday 19 December 2018

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:4515:1515:45

Qolcom EBF Stallions 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 5m 18.60s

Commanche Red²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon

16/1

Clear-cut winner on hurdling debut at Fontwell, but came up short in a better race at Ascot last month. Faces some equally-promising rivals and looks to be up against it.

Form: 316-15

Moonlighter²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 126

16/1

Bumper winner who showed the right spirit to win on his second start over hurdles at Ascot. Clearly promising, but needs more under his penalty.

Form: 16-31

Samarquand^h¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 135| D

6/1

Ludlow winner on hurdling debut and ran well under a penalty to be third to a promising sort in heavy going at Exeter. Has a similar scenario to overcome, but this slghtly-better ground could help.

Form: 1-13

Tidal Flow³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| C| D

7/1

Won one of his two starts in bumpers and made a winning hurdling debut at Kempton. More needed under a penalty, but is unexposed and connections continue in flying form.

Form: 14-1

Beyondthestorm³⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson

14/1

Flemensfirth gelding who cost connections £150,000 after winning an Irish point-to-point. Represents last year's winning stable and is one to note in the betting.

Form: 1-

Copperhead²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard

100/1

Better of two efforts over hurdles when third of 13 at Hereford. That form leaves him with plenty to find in what looks a strong contest.

Form: 779-03

Diomede Des Mottes³⁵

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

16/1

Winning pointer who was a good second at Exeter last month. Likely to improve, but needs to against this opposition.

Form: P2-162

Downtown Getaway³⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

10/11

Bought for a whopping £350,000 after bolting up in a Fairyhouse bumper a year ago. First run for top trainer and looks to be the yard's number one hope on jockey bookings. Market check advised.

Form: 1-

Fontsanta²⁹⁹

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

100/1

Winning debut in bumper at Fontwell in January, but was beaten under a penalty next time. Makes his hurdling debut in a strong race and has been spoken of in favourable terms by his trainer.

Form: 14-

Gleno¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

150/1

Bumper winner who was making his stable/hurdling debut when well behind a well-regarded winner at Sandown. May need more time to develop, but is worth keeping an eye on for respected stable.

Form: 45/1-7

Harambe²⁸

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

6/1

Brought down on hurdling debut at Chepstow before finishing second at Warwick last month. Likely to be winning before too long, but this looks tough.

Form: 123-B2

It's For Alan^h¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: Miss J S Davis

150/1

Winning pointer who has been well beaten on both starts over timber. Plenty to prove for the time being.

Form: FUP1-36

Old Rascals³⁷

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

100/1

Beaten 11L by Tidal Flow when a promising third on hurdling debut at Kempton. Plenty to do to turn the tables on only 6lb better terms.

Form: 2R-233

Non-Runners

Emitom²⁶

Weight: 11-4| Age: 4

T: W Greatrex J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Downtown Getaway (10/11), Emitom (7/2), Harambe (6/1), Samarquand (6/1), Tidal Flow (7/1), Beyondthestorm (14/1), Diomede Des Mottes (16/1), Commanche Red (16/1), Moonlighter (16/1), Fontsanta (100/1), Copperhead (100/1), Old Rascals (100/1), It's For Alan (150/1), Gleno (150/1)

Plenty of promising types on paper, not least the Nicky Henderson pair Beyondthestorm and Downtown Getaway, who were both expensive purchases. The latter may prove the stronger on this occasion and could be very useful, but he will have to be smart to get the better of EMITOM, who looked seriously talented on his hurdling debut at Ffos Las and won both his bumpers, too. Moonlighter, Samarquand and Tidal Flow are previous winners worthy of a second look, while Fontsanta may fare best of his stable's two runners.