14:25 Kempton

Saturday 23 February 2019

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

888Sport Take 'Em On Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 3m 43.6s

Beat The Judge³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 129| BF| CD

10/1

68 rated maiden on the Flat but really took to hurdling with a fluent C&D win over Christmas. Could only finish third at Ascot next under a penalty which was a little disappointing and has to give weight away all round here.

Form: 13

Ecco²³⁰

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

7/1

Good enough to contest Group Two and One races on final two starts in Germany although not quite up to that level. Has to be considered a potentially very smart recruit however for top yard which has won this four times before.

Form:

Fusil Raffles²¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson

4/1

Two starts for Guillame Macaire saw a debut win and close second. Clearly has plenty of potential now in the hands of the champion trainer who has won this race four times including with two future Champion Hurdlers.

Form: 12

Needs To Be Seen⁹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: J Ryan| OR: 112| D

40/1

Off the mark at the third time of asking at Musselburgh before struggling behind smart Quel Destin next in Cheltenham Grade Two at 50/1. One of the more experienced runners but form appears short of the required.

Form: 3415

Pagero²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill

22/1

Dual French flat winner bumped into very smart Fakir D'Oudairies on hurdles bow at Cheltenham when tailed off. Life doesn't get any easier here however so up against it once more.

Form: 7

Petit Palais²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| D

9/2

AW maiden winner for John Gosden made winning start over hurdles at Ludlow last month where he finished strongly despite a final flight error. More needed but plenty of potential and yard in fine form.

Form: 1

Praeceps¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 124| D

14/1

79-rated three-time flat winner finished second in first hurdle race at Newbury and put that experience to good use next when a winner at Market Rasen. Trainer won this last two years but Giving Glances maybe first string.

Form: 21

Protektorat²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136

9/1

Listed placed on debut in France but things not quite gone to plan so far since bought into this yard with an unseating followed by a fifth latest behind runaway winner Fakir D'Oudairies. More to come from this one however.

Form: 2U5

Red Force One¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: P F Nicholls

7/1

89-rated three-time winner for Tom Dascombe looks a potentially smart recruit especially now joining top and in form yard who have won this four times before. No surprise if he goes well on hurdle debut.

Form:

Rose Sea Has⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland

14/1

Three-year-old hurdle winner in France was subsequently twice placed in chases. Owner retained jockey prefers Fusil Raffles but far from dismissed with his experience a clear bonus over most.

Form: 6-7132

Giving Glances²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 127| D

8/1

Looked a smart prospect when effortlessly winning at Hereford. Pulled-up next on soft ground at Aintree but back to true form at Doncaster since when winning a Listed race. Penalty here but best form on offer and trainer won this last two years.

Form: 1P1

Deadline Diva^t1⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: P J Brennan| T: P F Nicholls| D

25/1

Two from three on the flat and comfortable winner of first hurdle race at Bordeaux Le Bouscat although only four ran. Sixth and weakening when fell at the last behind Beat The Judge at Christmas. Trainer has stronger options.

Form: 1F

Non-Runners

Song For Someone¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: T Symonds J: James Davies

Forecasts

Fusil Raffles (4/1), Petit Palais (9/2), Song For Someone (6/1), Red Force One (7/1), Ecco (7/1), Giving Glances (8/1), Protektorat (9/1), Beat The Judge (10/1), Praeceps (14/1), Rose Sea Has (14/1), Pagero (22/1), Deadline Diva (25/1), Needs To Be Seen (40/1)

Alan King is always to be respected with juvenile hurdlers and he has won this four times since 2004 including the last two years. Of his duo here GIVING GLANCES makes most appeal having won two of three hurdle races to date including a Listed race latest at Doncaster. Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls like King have won this four times and Henderson's Fusil Raffles and Nicholls pair Ecco and Red Force One are also viable options with all unexposed recruits of great potential.