14:55 Leicester

Thursday 10 January 2019

All12:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:25

Leicester Annual Badge Holders Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 3m 47.8s

What's Occurring⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Sherwood| OR: 128| D

9/4

Dual fast ground Hereford winner in the autumn. Not quite as good at Listed level (soft) last time, but useful nonetheless and very much respected back on a sound surface, despite his penalties.

Form: 335-115

Brecon Hill^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs S J Humphrey| OR: 137| D

8/11

Dual bumper winner who was supported when a ready 6L winner over hurdles at Huntingdon (2m, good) in November. Improved on that when a clear second back there under a penalty last month. Has strong claims here.

Form: 215-412

Dreyfus⁹⁷⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: P R Webber

50/1

9-2 and a one-paced 6½L fifth of seven on his debut in a good ground Ludlow bumper in 2016. Not seen since then and a watching brief looks best on his belated hurdles debut.

Form: 5/

Dr Oakley³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver

100/1

Not devoid of promise on his hurdles debut at Hereford in October, but well held both starts since. Likely to appeal more when his trainer has a handicap mark to work with.

Form: F3-400

French Piece²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: T J Phelan| T: D G Bridgwater

150/1

Has shown very little in a bumper and two runs over hurdles, including here last month. Others readily preferred.

Form: 6P0

Go As You Please²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R P McLernon| T: P R Webber

66/1

Runner-up in a Bangor bumper (good to soft) last April. Well below that on both starts over hurdles. Much more needed.

Form: 2-09

Monjeni¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| D

7/1

Not sure a Leicester novice hurdle would have been on the agenda when he cost €650,000gns as a yearling. OR 80 on the Flat, from which he arrives for his hurdles debut on the back of a 2m AW win at Lingfield recently. Could make an impact.

Form:

Paddy A¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams

18/1

Won three times on the Flat last year at up to 1m6f, including on good/good to firm. OR 79 in that sphere, after finishing 1¾L behind stablemate Monjeni at Lingfield (AW) last time. Another of interest from that yard. Could go well.

Form:

Rahmah¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: M D Grant| T: G Deacon

100/1

Good ground Flat winner over 1m2f, but has plenty to find with some of these on official ratings in that code. Hasn't shown a huge amount in two hurdles and will appeal more in minor handicaps when he has a mark.

Form: 00

Cardigan Bay^h,t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon

8/1

Fontwell mares' bumper winner (2m1½f, good) in September. Raced keenly when 2¼L third here over C&D (good to firm) last month. Needs to improve on that to trouble the principals.

Form: 65103

Infiniti²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: B Leavy| C

150/1

Moderate on the Flat, though has won a couple of races, but well held on both starts over hurdles. Can only watch.

Form: 90

Forecasts

Brecon Hill (8/11), What's Occurring (9/4), Monjeni (7/1), Cardigan Bay (8/1), Paddy A (18/1), Dreyfus (50/1), Go As You Please (66/1), Rahmah (100/1), Dr Oakley (100/1), Infiniti (150/1), French Piece (150/1)

Both Monjeni and to a less extent stablemate Paddy A are interesting hurdling newcomers here for Ian Williams. The former beat the latter on the AW recently, though there wasn't a huge amount in it and both might be able to get reasonably competitive. Cardigan Bay needs to improve on her latest run here, but is open to doing so and could also compete for the minors. However, the top two on the racecard make most appeal, despite their penalties and BRECON HILL should be capable of making the most of the 6lb he receives from What's Occuring.