14:45 Huntingdon
Thursday 11 April 2019
All13:4014:1014:4515:1515:5016:2016:5517:25
Follow racingtv On Twitter Novices' Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 3f 137y | Good (Good to firm in places) | 8 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 4m 47.1s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Fortunate winner at Leicester in December when his two main rivals came down, including one who appeared to have the race won. Duly pulled up under a penalty at Wincanton (2m5½f, good) in February. Cheekpieces added now.
Won nicely on soft ground at Plumpton in early-December and was good runner-up at Fontwell and Doncaster in both outings since. Longer trip here, sets the standard.
Looked to show some progressive form over hurdles in France winning his latest start at Nantes (2m3f, soft) in November. Modest start for this trainer at Plumpton (2m4½f, soft) in March, though did travel into race quite well. More to come possibly.
Justified short odds when scoring on second hurdles start at Fakenham (2m4f, good to soft) in December; before perhaps finding 3m too far at Kelso in January (second). Solid showing in Grade 3 novice handicap last time at Sandown; respected.
Tailed off on debut in Warwick bumper last May and then pulled up in Hereford maiden hurdle in November. Strong market both times, being trained by Nicky Henderson no doubt a factor. Has undergone wind surgery and champion trainer retains faith.
Won a point-to-point but was well held on debut over hurdles at Exeter last month over 2m7f. Much more like since at Wincanton (2m4f, good) when outrunning odds of 50-1 to take narrow second behind very easy winner (battled well).
Regressive in three bumper runs and then fell early on when making hurdles debut at Uttoxeter in January (2m, soft; 66-1). No great shakes this month at Ludlow on sole start since and easily opposed on for.
Poor form on Flat and two runs over hurdles, both here over 2m when sent off three-figure prices. Impossible to make a case for currently.
Forecasts
Skandiburg (13/8), Coole Well (13/8), Espion De Saflo (6/1), Eclair Des Sablons (8/1), Chez Hans (12/1), Commander Miller (16/1), Slaine (100/1), Spectaculis (200/1)
He wasn't able to match a confidently ridden winner last time at Doncaster but COOLE WELL still beat off the remainder with plenty in hand. He's got the best form in the book and should be at home now upped in distance. French import Espion De Saflo offered something to work with in his Plumpton debut for Gary Moore and may be that bit sharper now while Skandiburg drops in grade and ought to be in the mix. It will be interesting to see how the market judges Commander Miller, disappointing in both runs last year but now having undergone wind surgery and still with Nicky Henderson.
- Coole Well
- Skandiburg
- Espion De Saflo
Prize Money
1st: £4,159.002nd: £1,221.003rd: £611.004th: £305.00
MOST READ RACING
Follow & Track
Your favourite horses, jockeys and trainers with My StableLog in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits
