Natural Flake Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 43.1s

Yccs Portocervo^h²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 127

8/11

Seemed suited by sharp track when landing Fakenham 2m maiden hurdle winner in June, then close second in Worcester novice event last time over same trip. Extra 2f here provides new test. Concedes weight all round.

Form: 825-R12

Archirondel¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

33/1

Poor form under Rules for this yard last winter and no better between the flags earlier this year. Didn't show much back in this sphere last time at Ffos Las and while connections always respected, appears to have a tough task.

Form: 7RF-U15

Gabriel Archer⁶³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: D W P Arbuthnot

100/1

Showed nothing in Ireland in a bumper and a novice hurdle two years ago and pulled up only start for Alexandra Dunn at Chesptow in November 2017. Not seen since and makes debut for new yard with plenty to prove.

Form: 00P/

Right Destination²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

9/1

Pulled up in 2-3 point-to-points but was second at 50/1 on Rules debut in Killarney madien hrudle in May for Seamus Fahey. Faded from 2 out on debut for current yard at Worcester last month and should strip fitter now.

Form: P5P-25

Emerald Rocket¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Callum McKinnes⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 118| BF

7/4

Second in 3-4 hurdles so far, including to Yccs Portocervo at Fakenham in June. 5lb better off for just over a length and conditional rider claims further 7lb. Beaten odds-on at Perth last time but looks sure to be thereabouts.

Form: 2-232

Forecasts

Yccs Portocervo (8/11), Emerald Rocket (7/4), Right Destination (9/1), Archirondel (33/1), Gabriel Archer (100/1)

YCCS PORTOCERVO can defeat old rival Emerald Rocket despite being 5lb worse off for little more than a length on their Fakenham running of eight weeks ago. He has gone close since and looks the more resolute of the pair. Emerald Rocket has had chances since then and managed to find at least one too good for him. He is a danger but is a risky betting proposition despite the favourable terms. Right Destination may prove the right one for the forecast although he is no great shakes in his own right.