14:05 Uttoxeter

Friday 1 November 2019

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:20

Pektron Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 5m 21.50s

Ashfield Paddy^h²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Edward Austin⁽⁷⁾| T: J & A O'Neill

11/1

Won Irish maiden point in March and posted creditable first event when fourth over C&D last month on Rules bow. Probably got tired after summer break so should strip fitter and is not without a chance.

Form: 31-4

Bitasweetsymphony²⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: S Allwood

100/1

Modest fourth in Bangor point on only outing so far. Makes Rules debut and a great deal more is needed to figure in this company.

Form: 4-

Chat To Charlie²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson

16/1

Good second in Huntingdon bumper on debut in March but struggled on soft ground at Ffos Las a month later when well beaten. First try over hurdles here and any drying of the ground would be a bonus.

Form: 27-

Clondaw Pretender¹⁸⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

33/1

Third in two Irish point prior to being purchased by current connections for £27,000. First try under Rules for yard with 9% strike rate over hurdles at this venue.

Form: 33-

Connect Four¹⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: T R George

12/1

Showed very little last term on first two starts but improved significantly when third in 2m Chepstow maiden hurdle in April. First run back after summer break for yard just beginning to get into gear. Worth a market check stepping up in trip.

Form: 083-

Idee De Garde^t²⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton

4/1

Won on debut at Ayr in 2m bumper for Nicky Richards then returned from 11-month break with second in Newcastle maiden hurdle for current yard. Outclassed in Grade 2 on heavy ground at Haydock in Januray. Back from long rest and may be ready to roll.

Form: 1/26-

Robaddan¹³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: C J Mann| BF

4/1

Irish point winner who ran second on Rules debut in Listowel 2m4f bumper in June then was second again in Wexford 2m bumper a few weeks later when odds-on. Debut for new connections and should be thereabouts.

Form: 1-22

Steady Away²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin

2/1

Mixed messages in two bumpers last term but was good second on hurdles debut over C&D last month, staying on after last. Should strip fitter and another bold show a definite possibility.

Form: 70-2

Supervisor²³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams

20/1

Yard off the mark for the season at Aintree recently and this €54,000 2017 purchase showed signs of ability in two bumpers last term. Type to do better now hurdling and market support would be noteworthy.

Form: 54-

Vinnie Dev²¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: Noel Williams

11/2

Won Irish maiden point in March at fifth time of asking and bought for £42,000 soon after. First British run for new connections whose recent runners have shaped with credit and appear in decent form.

Form: 3F341-

Forecasts

Steady Away (2/1), Idee De Garde (4/1), Robaddan (4/1), Vinnie Dev (11/2), Ashfield Paddy (11/1), Connect Four (12/1), Chat To Charlie (16/1), Supervisor (20/1), Clondaw Pretender (33/1), Bitasweetsymphony (100/1)

Five of the last eight favourites have won this race; one of the three that wasn't favourite was subsequent Gold Cup winner Coneygree! No standout candidate this time so marginal preference is for IDEE DE GARDE who tends to go well fresh and with whom connections appear to have been very patient. Among a hatful of potential improvers, Supervisor looks the sort to do better at ths game, while Robaddan and Ashfield Paddy are others to note. Steady Away was a good second here last time, and Vinnie Dev is an interesting recruit.