15:35 Ludlow

Thursday 21 March 2019

All14:3015:0015:3516:1016:4517:1517:50

Windsor Clive International Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 41.80s

Cervaro Mix⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: G Sheehan| T: O Sherwood| OR: 129| D

4/1

Scraped home to beat a subsequent winner at Huntingdon. Bettered that when beaten here by Oakley who won a class 3 handicap on his next start and to whom he was conceding 6lb. Looks a natural jumper and has to be a leading contender.

Form: P-2512

Good Man Jim^t⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| CD

9/1

Cost a substantial £360,000 after winning on his second point-to-point start by 12L. Looked even more expensive until scoring over C&D four weeks ago. Needs to significantly build on that as the form has taken a few knocks since.

Form: 5/10-81

Hes No Trouble²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| D

6/5

Won point-to-point on debut in April and contested the hottest maiden of the season on hurdling debut. Made all next time and his task was made easier when his closest challenger blundered at the last. Expect more use to be made of his stamina.

Form: 1-71

Sofia's Rock^t1³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| D

15/8

Four-time winner on the Flat and reached a peak rating of 100. Made a winning start to his new career but that form has been undermined since. Latest effort under a penalty looks stronger, but he will need to settle better than he did that day.

Form: 13

Camlad Kingfisher²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁷⁾| T: S-J Davies

100/1

Yet to trouble the judge at lengthy odds in all four starts and now faces the toughest test of his brief career.

Form: 4709

Dadsinluck^h1,t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

100/1

Minor promise in bumpers but was soon in trouble on hurdling debut when 67L behind Sofia's Rock. Looks out of his depth.

Form: 78P0

Move Above²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph

20/1

Surprise bumper winner last December (went off 33-1) but showed it to be no fluke by running to a similar figure at Chepstow. Fourth here on hurdling debut when looking in need of a slower test and this is a stronger event.

Form: 3154

Biscay Bay^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams

100/1

Has a Flat pedigree and has shown little aptitude for the winter game in either start. Has 34L to find with Camlad Kingfisher on latest running.

Form: P0

Kadasa

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver

33/1

Half-sister to five winners including dual Grade 2 winner Kadarann. In good hands but it would still be a surprise if she was forward enough to make a winning debut in this company.

Form:

Wondergirl²³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: W T Kennedy| T: R Dickin

66/1

German import who is related to a bumper winner and is out of a dam who won four races over hurdles on fast ground. Stable having a quiet season and surprising if she was ready to take this on hurdling debut.

Form:

Forecasts

Hes No Trouble (6/5), Sofia's Rock (15/8), Cervaro Mix (4/1), Good Man Jim (9/1), Move Above (20/1), Kadasa (33/1), Wondergirl (66/1), Biscay Bay (100/1), Camlad Kingfisher (100/1), Dadsinluck (100/1)

This should rest between the four previous hurdle winners and smart Flat performer Sofia's Rock has yet to match the same standard of form over hurdles. He was suited to forcing tactics on the level and it will be interesting to see if he is ridden any differently here. Hes No Trouble made all to win a poor race at Huntingdon and his margin of victory is flattering, whilst Good Man Jim made a modest initial return on his mammoth purchase price when landing a weaker race than this over C&D. As a result the vote goes to CERVARO MIX who is a good jumper and whose last two efforts have seen the form franked since.