14:00 Ludlow

Thursday 24 October 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1516:4517:20

Racing To School Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 3m 43.1s

Humble Hero^t¹⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 131| D

4/9

Decent middle-distance handicapper for William Haggas. Off the mark for current yard on third start over hurdles at Newbury in March then excellent third in hot Sandown h'cap hurdle in April. Back from six-month break and of definite interest.

Form: 2213-

Amangiri¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater

50/1

Three wins on continent prior to joining current yard in June. Three runs over hurdles so far and hasn't looked a natural. Massive improvement needed.

Form: 500

Ballinsker¹⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

4/1

Yard has won this race four times in the last nine years. Bought for £90,000 after winning Irish maiden point-to-point on only start in April. Rules debut and given yard's race record has to be seriously considered.

Form: 1-

Banana Joe²³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: B Pauling

40/1

Getaway gelding who showed very moderate form in two bumpers and was tailed off on only hurdles start over 2m4f at Wincanton in March. Hard to enthuse over.

Form: 067-

Bon Calvados^h¹⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: O Murphy

7/1

French bred gelding started warm favourite on debut at Newcastle in December bumper where finished sixth. Underwent win op after and returned to finish fair second in Stratford bumper in May. Hurdles bow for good yard.

Form: 6-2

Eurkash^h¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: P R Webber

50/1

Only modest form in three starts in bumpers but ran satisfactory race on hurdles bow after 11-month break at Uttoxeter earlier this month, shaping well until weakening before 2 out to finish seventh. Should strip fitter now.

Form: 7/49-7

Evander^h1¹⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

10/1

Won maiden 3m Irish point-to-point in April then sold following month for £30,000. Makes Rules debut here. Stable 1-29 with hurdles runners here in recent times. Wears first-time hood.

Form: 1-

Furius De Ciergues¹³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: David England| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

33/1

Stable companion of Evander. Three outings in France showing some ability on second run but disappointing either side of that. Makes British debut for new yard and market should guide as to expectations.

Form: 957

Jobsonfire¹⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: L Heard| T: S AllwoodWS

100/1

Won Bangor maiden point-to-point in February but has failed to finish in three starts in that sphere since. First Rules outing now but looks to have something to find on first run since wind surgery..

Form: F/21FP-U

Windsorlot³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: A W Carroll

66/1

Modest three-time Flat winner from 48 starts and ran once over hurdles in Ireland in 2016 for previous handler without showing a great deal. Hard to see him being good enough in this company.

Form: 0/

The City Cobbler^h1¹⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: L Treadwell| T: P R Webber

100/1

Stable companion of Eurkash. Ran out on debut in Uttoxeter bumper in March and tailed off in simlar event at Bangor only other outing. First try over timber but is very hard to fancy on what we've seen so far.

Form: R0-

Forecasts

Humble Hero (4/9), Ballinsker (4/1), Bon Calvados (7/1), Evander (10/1), Furius De Ciergues (33/1), Banana Joe (40/1), Eurkash (50/1), Amangiri (50/1), Windsorlot (66/1), The City Cobbler (100/1), Jobsonfire (100/1)

Despite having to conceded 6lbs and upwards all round. HUMBLE HERO sets a good standard and may be hard to beat assuming he's fit enough after a six-month break. His fine third in a red-hot Sandown handicap hurdle in April is a standout piece of form. Balinsker impressed with his win on debut in an Irish point and cost £90,000 after that. Represents yard who have won this race four times since 2011. Evander also won his only start in an Irish point and is respected on his Rules bow, while Bon Calvados has shown ability and Eurkash is one of the likelier outsiders.