14:10 Warwick

Wednesday 10 April 2019

All14:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:5017:2517:55

Coventry City Football Club Maiden Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 5m 10.80s

Bbold²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 115| BF

2/1

Form not quite a sound as the numbers suggest although he shaped better than the final position last time having raced freely. Well backed last time he's already finished third over 2m here and now steps up significantly in trip.

Form: 273536

De Good Man Luke³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C Poste| T: O Murphy

40/1

Pulled-up on his only start in an Irish point-to-point he offered something to work on for the future from his sole hurdles outing so far (still looked inexperienced). Refused to settle which hampered his chance; may show more now.

Form: P-4

Fifth Symphony⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling

3/1

Very much a work in progress (still looks on the weak side) but has shaped liked a stayer on his two hurdles runs so far. Still needed the experience last time and that's likely to be the case here also.

Form: 856

Fortescue³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 108

14/1

Looked as though there was every chance he was going to go the wrong way temperamentally (races in the same colours as Go West Young Man, another quirky character). Hard to fault last time toughing it out in gruelling conditions at Hereford.

Form: 038P83

Hang Tough¹⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill

20/1

Hit the frame in both his starts in maiden Irish point-to-points and now makes his Rules/stable debut. Cost £20,000 as a four-year-old; stable capable with this sort and the market will be useful although its likely handicaps will hold the key.

Form: 43

I'm A Starman²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: M G Rimell

6/1

Showed much improved form with a third at Chepstow last time advertising the form of his debut over the same C&D. Kept on really well and this course may suit him, needs this run for a mark but a good showing is expected.

Form: 73

North Star Oscar^p1³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: W GreatrexWS

7/1

Chased home a really smart sort on his second start in bumpers and although he's been well held over hurdles he would have needed the experience on debut. Needs this run for a mark; first-time cheekpieces after a wind op.

Form: 4278

Pop The Champers^v1³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: N Kent

100/1

Dual Irish point-to-point winner whose two runs under Rules (separated by long break) have shown very little. Pulled-up over fences last time and now reverts to hurdles with plenty to prove.

Form: P411/4-P

Robyndzone^t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

40/1

Won his sole start in Irish point-to-points whose bumper form is only modest at best. Offered little sent hurdling off the back of a wind op in a first-time tongue-tie when 66-1; would be a surprise to see anything more here.

Form: 1090

Top Up The Fashion²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann

6/1

Cost £48,000 after finishing runner-up in an Irish point-to-point; ran against three above-average rivals on his Rules (hurdles) debut. Soon put in his place but will have gained from the experience; one for the shortlist.

Form: 23

Loquacious Lady²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Kieron Edgar| T: H Fry

66/1

Pedigree reads better than her form so far which consists of two rather modest hurdles runs. Very much looks one for the longer term; may well get a mark after this outing, needs to jump far better.

Form: 08

Non-Runners

Blue Monday⁴⁹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: C Brace

Forecasts

Bbold (2/1), Fifth Symphony (3/1), Top Up The Fashion (6/1), I'm A Starman (6/1), North Star Oscar (7/1), Fortescue (14/1), Blue Monday (20/1), Hang Tough (20/1), Robyndzone (40/1), De Good Man Luke (40/1), Loquacious Lady (66/1), Pop The Champers (100/1)

First division of the maiden hurdle with several that have shown promise so far with chief among those Bbold who steps up in trip but may find it hard to cope with some improving types in this. I'M A STARMAN took a big stride forward last time having run well enough on his debut and his form appears to be working out well. North Star Oscar showed plenty of potential in bumpers and off the back of a wind op with headgear now added he looks capable of fulfilling his potential. Top Up Fashion was third behind an eventual Aintree Grade 1 winner and should have more to offer with Hang Tough and De Good Man Luke two to watch in the market.