13:30 Huntingdon

Friday 11 January 2019

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

EBF 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 3m 46.90s

Bucaneros⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy

25/1

Dam was a moderate maiden over hurdles and while showing a hint of ability at huge odds on Newbury debut, took a backward step when pulled up at Bangor since. Likely to do better in handicaps further down the line.

Form: 0P

Fransham⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: Mrs P Sly

20/1

Hurdling debut today following three runs in bumpers in which his second in the penultimate run was a fair effort. Probably unsuited by heavy ground ground last time and needs to learn to settle better.

Form: 729

Good Man Jim^t1²⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N D Fehily| T: T R George| BFWS

8/1

Fetched £360,000 after winning a Point-to-point in October 2017. Sent off favourite in Warwick Bumper in April but shaped as though something was amiss when beating just one home. Wind operation since and must be capable of better.

Form: 5/10-

Johnny Rocco¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington

20/1

Didn't run badly when third at Plumpton but failed to build on that on subsequent start and another likely to do better in the future over a longer trip.

Form: 5636

Precious Bounty¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 120

8/11

Runner up last twice with the better effort at Exeter last week. Clearly sets the standard on hurdling form though it's not an insurmountable one, and could be vulnerable to a progressive rival.

Form: P20622

Shanty Alley²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: B I Case

17/2

Shaped nicely on hurdles debut at Hereford in November and best forgiven latest effort when looking to find the soft ground a problem. Needs this for a handicap mark.

Form: 7-47

Smarty Wild³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White

40/1

Moderate form in a pair of soft ground bumpers and clearly requires much more on hurdling bow. Stable have better claims with Precious Bounty.

Form: 66

Special Acceptance^h1³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: P R Webber

4/1

Distinct promise in a pair of bumpers last winter including a second at this venue. Again shaped well on hurdles debut prior to below par effort here last time. Still early days and certainly more to come, but it may be in handicaps after this.

Form: 24-48

Zee Man²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: David Dennis

25/1

Hasn't shown a great deal in bumpers and a pair of hurdles to date and likely to need more of a trip in due course. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 3520-P5

Non-Runners

High Up In The Air²¹

Weight: 11-5| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: Joshua Moore

The Flying Sofa³⁰³

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Forecasts

Precious Bounty (8/11), The Flying Sofa (5/2), Special Acceptance (4/1), Good Man Jim (8/1), Shanty Alley (17/2), Fransham (20/1), Johnny Rocco (20/1), Bucaneros (25/1), Zee Man (25/1), Smarty Wild (40/1), High Up In The Air (50/1)

Precious Bounty again showed he has a race in him when chasing home a decent type at Exeter last week and is by some way the pick on hurdles form. However, THE FLYING SOFA is a fascinating recruit to the smaller obstacles and though the late start to his campaign is a concern, he could be the value. Good Man Jim must be capable of better than shown and completes the short list in a contest which could prove a guide to future winners.