14:00 Cheltenham

Friday 25 October 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 29.7s

Bialco^t¹⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Blair Campbell| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 128

50/1

Fairly useful hurdler who defied a penalty for a Kelso handicap win earlier in the year in June; proved to be a disappointment last time (under a double penalty). Likely to find several of these too good for him; looks vulnerable to improvers.

Form: P12-612

Braid Blue⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 128

5/1

Irish raider who has won his last four starts over hurdles progressing again last time to beat a small field at Perth over 3m. Won't be worried about the drop in trip and still looks on the up for a stable that have had plenty of success here.

Form: 561-111

Doctor Duffy^p²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: D N Russell| T: C Byrnes| OR: 136

2/1

Second Irish runner in the field who confirmed his status as a useful novice since the cheekpieces went on with a win under a hands-and-heels ride at Listowel last time. Looks well treated at the weights with this reported to be his autumn target.

Form: 242R21

No Hidden Charges¹⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 137

25/1

Completed some fairly simple tasks to compile a hat-trick over hurdles across the summer and this will be a much stiffer test of his credentials in this sphere. Certainly not ruled out but he will have to progress again; stiffest task to date.

Form: 144-111

Champagne Well^t1²⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 131

13/8

Bumper winner who remains a maiden over hurdles (disqualified from a Ludlow win); fared well after that luckless incident. Ran well in classy Sandown handicap before a respectable effort in the Grade 1 Sefton at Aintree; entitled to go close.

Form: 132D36-

Guy¹⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

20/1

Shaped with a huge amount of promise when second in a bumper at Perth earlier in the year; comes from a yard in good form, bred to do better now he goes hurdling. Certainly not one to ignore but hardly given an easy introduction over timber.

Form: 2-

L'Air Du Vent¹⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard

11/2

Fell when in contention (sole Irish point-to-point) that form looking useful despite the mishap. Made a winning start under Rules when taking a Bangor bumper in the spring; has something to find on hurdles debut but looks to have huge potential.

Form: F1-

Megaudais Speed²²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: Mrs L J Young

100/1

Irish point-to-point winner although he was only 1-4 in that sphere and his Rules form so far is well short of the required level to make an impact. Hard to see him getting involved unless there is a major upset.

Form: 431/295-

Forecasts

Champagne Well (13/8), Doctor Duffy (2/1), Braid Blue (5/1), L'Air Du Vent (11/2), Guy (20/1), No Hidden Charges (25/1), Bialco (50/1), Megaudais Speed (100/1)

A fascinating opener to the new season at Cheltenham with last seasons novice form well represented by the likes of Champagne Well who was sixth in the Sefton and comes here with a fine chance with a tongue-tie used for the first-time. Both Irish contenders bring something to the party with Doctor Duffy not lacking in fitness having been on the go all summer but looking an improved article of late in headgear while Braid Blue is another of similar ilk. The last 4yo to win this was The New one and his trainer, Nigel Twiston Davies tries to repeat the trick with Guy, but the vote goes to the hugely promising L'AIR DU VENT who impressed at Bangor when winning a bumper.