Happy Birthday Valerie Woods Juvenile Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 40.30s

Westbrook Bertie³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: M R Channon| OR: 130| BF| CD

7/4

Quite impressive over C&D when beating a stable companion who has won since. Well backed to follow up but he was agitated before the start and too keen in the race so there was little left for the latter stages.

Form: 312

Christopher Wood¹¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

5/6

Winner of two Flat races who was acquired for 80,000 gns to go hurdling. Rated slightly superior to Westbrook Bertie on the level and receives an attractive allowance from that rival.

Form:

Flaminger³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore

8/1

Runner-up in minor French bumper on fast ground. Too keen on debut and meets a couple of useful types this afternoon.

Form: 25

Kenny George²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West

25/1

Poor Flat maiden who was tailed off last of eight on hurdling debut. Looks out of his depth here.

Form: 8

Noble Saffron²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽⁵⁾| T: D G Bridgwater

50/1

Offered little over hurdles having shown faint promise in two bumpers. Hard to fancy at this level of competition.

Form: 70P5

Verbitude³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: N J Hawke

20/1

Lightly raced brother to Vocaliser who appeared not to stay on hurdling debut, Stamina will be more severely tested over this longer trip in better company.

Form: 6

Dragon Tattoo^p⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: J E Moore| T: Mrs L C Jewell

66/1

Low grade Flat maiden with a 0-16 record. Soon tailed off on hurdling debut and makes no appeal.

Form: 9

Forecasts

Christopher Wood (5/6), Westbrook Bertie (7/4), Flaminger (8/1), Verbitude (20/1), Kenny George (25/1), Noble Saffron (50/1), Dragon Tattoo (66/1)

This race lacks any depth and should concern Wesbrook Bertie and CHRISTOPHER WOOD. The former was impressive in beating a stable companion who has won since over C&D on Boxing Day, but there were signs of temperament and an inclination to over-race last time. As a result he may find the concession of 7lb to the selection beyond him, particularly given the powerful yard and the fact they went to 80,000 gns to purchase this dual Flat winner who handles soft ground.