14:20 Newbury

Friday 1 March 2019

All13:4514:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:00

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Juvenile Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 3m 58.75s

Christopher Wood¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

6/5

Decetn flat performer who was picked up by connections for 80,000 gns. Well backed and cruised to victory on hurdling debut at Fontwell two weeks ago. Has a penalty to carry here but is very high on the list once more.

Form: 1

Fresno Emery⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: R Walford

12/1

French import was well backed on debut at Fontwell and support proved well founded as he battled to success. Struggled under a penalty at Ascot last time in a higher grade and needs to bounce back here.

Form: 3-16

Zizaneur³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 133

3/1

Had plenty of form over hurdles in France and thought good enough to contest a Grade 3 there. Ran well on British debut at Ludlow last time and that form is strong enough for him to go very close here.

Form: 312F62

Brandy James^h1¹³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 114

14/1

Has attracted market support on each of his three starts over hurdles but has not looked entirely straight forward. Hood goes on today and if that has a positive effect, could be a player.

Form: 322

Duration^p⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: J R Jenkins| D

150/1

Moderate flat performer that was picked up by current connections for 18,000 in November. Stayed well on the flat so no stamina issue on hurdling debut but needs to improve for jumping.

Form:

Faldo³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: Ian Williams

10/3

Promising debut over hurdles at Warwick in January on first run for this yard when chasing home a highly rated filly. Probably little strength in depth behind him that day but open to improvement and should figure.

Form: 2

Toshima^t⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: R StephensWS

33/1

Won a novice event for Ed Walker at Newcastle in October. Picked up by connections for 20,000 gns just after. Pulled up on hurdling debut for this yard at Warwick in December and has since had wind surgery.

Form: P

Vision Clear¹³²

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

16/1

Won once from 11 starts on the falt for Ed Dunlop. Joined shrewd yard for 55,000 gns ahead of this hurdling debut and interesting to see what market makes of his chances.

Form:

Dharma Rain⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: J McGrath| T: C Hobson

200/1

Three starts over hurdles and has been well beaten in all of them. Can only be watched for now and should be better in handicaps.

Form: P68

Forecasts

Christopher Wood (6/5), Zizaneur (3/1), Faldo (10/3), Fresno Emery (12/1), Brandy James (14/1), Vision Clear (16/1), Toshima (33/1), Duration (150/1), Dharma Rain (200/1)

Zizaneur brings good French form to the table and will surely be winning races before too long. Faldo ran a race full of promise at Warwick and could well go one better here with this track likely to suit. CHRISTOPHER WOOD looks a shrewd purchase for connections and he impressed with the way he went through the race at Fontwell and may be able to remain unbeaten over hurdles.