Racing To School Juvenile Hurdle

Off time: 12:25 | Winning time: 3m 43.97s

Bodes Well^b1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 108

8/1

Has plenty of experience under his belt already, and a penalty to carry for his Fontwell win in October, but efforts since then less than satisfactory. Needs to bounce back to best form now, and looks a risky proposition.

Form: 481637

Dagian²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: James Moffatt

9/2

Useful on the Flat, has had two runs over hurdles and showed a lot more on the latest of them (over this C&D), getting a bit tired late but holding on for second. Repeat of that puts him in with every chance in a modest event.

Form: 52

Groveman⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Joe Colliver| T: Jedd O'Keeffe

9/4

Rated 79 on the Flat and stayed 12f very well, which gives hope that if he can hurdle fluently on debut over timber here he should be able to get involved. Quick ground suits too, and he looks one of the more likely ones.

Form:

Shandon⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: L Egerton

300/1

Wasn't up to much on the Flat (at 6f/7f) and beaten out of sight on hurdles debut at Wetherby last week; can only be watched.

Form: 6

The Navigator¹⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer

33/1

Left Richard Fahey's after a couple of poor efforts on the Flat last summer but did win over a mile at Thirsk on second start, so has some ability. Given his Flat rating of 81, ought to be up to winning over hurdles at some point. May need this.

Form:

Travel Lightly¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: C R King| T: T D Easterby| OR: 111| CD

11/4

Already a winner over hurdles, having proved successful over C&D on her second start, and has continued to run to that level in two subsequent starts. Likely ground no issue and should be on the premises.

Form: 4152

Gemologist¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: B S Hughes| T: C & M Johnston

7/2

Only moderate on the Flat but getting the hang of things over hurdles and only gave best late in the day at Doncaster latest start, tried to make all. Likely to employ similar tactics here and may be hard to peg back.

Form: 52

Forecasts

Groveman (9/4), Travel Lightly (11/4), Gemologist (7/2), Dagian (9/2), Bodes Well (8/1), The Navigator (33/1), Shandon (300/1)

Gemologist is likely to try and repeat the front running tactics that almost saw her home in front at Doncaster but DAGIAN might have bumped into a decent one here last time out and this lesser company might be enough for him to get his head in front. Travel Lightly isn't doing a lot wrong at present and should be up to taking a prize home, and if Groveman can jump with some fluency on his hurdles debut here, he has the ability to get involved too.