14:05 Kempton

Monday 28 January 2019

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1015:4516:15

Matchbook VIP Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 16.72s

Mystical Clouds⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 127

10/1

Impressive 14L winner of a small field novice hurdle over an extended 2m3f on seasonal debut in October. Likely winner when falling at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) subsequently and strong claims having finished runner-up at Ludlow (2m5f, good) last time.

Form: 433-1F2

Northern Bound⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling

20/1

Broke his maiden at the first time of asking over hurdles when winning a 2m maiden event at Ludlow (good) in November. Placed in a point-to-point and should appreciate this step up in distance.

Form: 291

Pym⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 138| BF

8/13

Followed up a good ground novice hurdle success over 2m at Chepstow in October with two placed efforts. Beaten 3¼L when runner-up in a Grade 2 novice over this trip at Cheltenham (good) last time out and is one for the shortlist down in grade.

Form: 1/29-122

Dreyfus¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: T J O'Brien| T: P R Webber

66/1

Shown fair form in two starts well over two years apart including when fifth over an extended 1m7f on hurdles debut at Leicester (good) earlier this month. More needed stepping up in distance.

Form: 5/5

Hugo's Reflection²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: D A Jacob| T: B I Case

100/1

Beaten 28L when seventh in a soft ground novice hurdle over an extended 2m3f at Hereford in December and fell three out upped in distance at Lingfield (2m7f, soft) subsequently. Others make more appeal.

Form: 0/40-7F

Joyrider⁴⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle

11/1

Decent fourth in a Uttoxeter bumper on debut in December 2016. Hood worn for the first time that day absent when runner-up to a now 142 rated rival in a similar race at Chepstow in October 2017. One to note on hurdles debut.

Form: 4/2-

Manvers House³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: James Best| T: R Walford

3/1

Placed in a soft ground bumper here in March last year and improved on hurdles debut when finishing 6L fourth in a big field contest over an extended 2m at Newbury (good-to-soft) a month ago. One for the shortlist in this contest.

Form: 2-04

The Cashel Man⁶¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson

6/1

Winner of three races on the Flat and ran well when 2L third over 1m6f at Goodwood (good-to-firm) on final start in that sphere in May 2017. Worth a check in the market on hurdles and stable debut.

Form:

Ablaze⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: Mrs L J Mongan

100/1

Dual Flat winner including over 1m4f at Salisbury (good-to-firm) in May. Struggled on hurdling debut at Lingfield (2m, heavy) last time out and probably best watched at present.

Form: 6

Forecasts

Pym (8/13), Manvers House (3/1), The Cashel Man (6/1), Mystical Clouds (10/1), Joyrider (11/1), Northern Bound (20/1), Dreyfus (66/1), Hugo's Reflection (100/1), Ablaze (100/1)

PYM represents a leading stable and ran a good race in a Graded contest last time out. The selection has the trip and forecast ground both in his favour and can see off his rivals here with previous winner Mystical Clouds capable of finishing runner-up while hurdling newcomers The Cashel Man and Joyrider can battle it out for third with preference for the latter following an absence.