14:40 Uttoxeter

Sunday 6 October 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4517:20

Dave Johnson On Signal 2 Breakfast Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 4.30s

Aljunood⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: J R Norton

100/1

43-rated Flat performer who won just one of 22 on the level and seemed to be in steady decline in that code. Makes no appeal on hurdles bow.

Form:

Defuture Is Bright¹⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams

12/1

Bought for £50,000 by these connections after finishing second in third and final point-to-point at Dromahane earlier in the year. Will likely need further in time but still one of the more likely sorts here.

Form: 24-2

Eurkash^h1³²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: P R Webber

40/1

Beaten 26L in final bumper here after showing a bit more in previous two. Off the track 11 months before this, his hurdling bow and he now has a hood fitted. Best watched.

Form: 7/49-

Famous Response²²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

4/5

Bought privately after hacking up in a point-to-point in February and given he has joined a trainer with few peers in the novice hurdling game he is highly likely to prove the one to side with here.

Form: 1-

Iconic Hero⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton

12/1

Fifth at Bangor improved upon when he finished second in a C&D novices event in June when last seen. That form amongst the best on offer but stable jockey aboard Famous Response which looks telling.

Form: 43P3-52

Masters Apprentice¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford

50/1

54-rated Flat performer with a 1-23 record in that sphere. Not the sort to side with first time over hurdles based on that record.

Form:

Maypole Class²⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill

6/1

Beaten 29L but some promise about his seventh of 15 at Ludlow back in February and with time on his side and in the hands of a shrewd operator he is expected to better that and challenge for a place here.

Form: F/207-

Parkin²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: H Whittington

66/1

Some minor promise on hurdles bow but his subsequent last of eight at Fontwell was concerning and he looked a difficult ride there too; best watched.

Form: 65-48

Rebel Leader²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington

13/2

Beaten 19L into third on hurdles bow at Newton Abbot and this former point-to-pointer now looks capable of challenging here and he is among the more likely types for this.

Form: 1-3

Tifl³⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: Christian Williams

100/1

51 rated Flat handicapper at up to 1m2f but looks to be taking on some decent types for this hurdling debut and stamina a possible issue as well.

Form:

Whatsthecraicjack

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

10/1

Newcomer by Crosspeace out of an unraced half-sister to useful 3m3f/4m chase winner Merlin's Wish and 3m-3m1f hurdle winner Howizee. Will need further in time but highly respected on debut given connections.

Form:

Drumreagh¹⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

20/1

Daughter of Court Cave bought for £17,000 after finishing second in his second point-to-point last winter. Joined a yard which sees her merit respect and the market here will be a useful guide.

Form: B2

Non-Runners

Jackson Hill¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: M F Harris J: Non Runner

Laqab⁴

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: D Shaw J: James Davies

Forecasts

Famous Response (4/5), Maypole Class (6/1), Rebel Leader (13/2), Whatsthecraicjack (10/1), Iconic Hero (12/1), Defuture Is Bright (12/1), Jackson Hill (14/1), Drumreagh (20/1), Laqab (33/1), Eurkash (40/1), Masters Apprentice (50/1), Parkin (66/1), Aljunood (100/1), Tifl (100/1)

The fact that Harry Skelton is aboard ruled debutant FAMOUS RESPONSE over Iconic Hero who arguably has the best form in this race has to be seen as significant and this impressive point scorer can lead home a 1-2 for the Skelton team. Fellow rules newcomers Defuture Is Bright and Whatsthecraicjack are also respected.