13:10 Huntingdon

Sunday 3 November 2019

All12:0512:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:05

Fairfax Saddles Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:11 | Winning time: 4m 48.3s

Bullsempire¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Dave Crosse| T: C Hobson

80/1

Runner-up in modest four-runner Fakenham novice hurdle last time out, eventually well beaten. that form unlikely to be good enough in this much better contest.

Form: PP6462

Captain Woodie²⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| BF

4/1

2-3 in bumpers in 2017 then absent 22 months prior to hurdles bow when well backed at Uttoxeter in January but faded tamely and evenutally well beaten. Returns from another long break with questions to answer.

Form: 141/7-

Dog Of War^t²¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

14/1

Soldier of Fortune gelding €95,000 purchase as a three-year-old. Had wind surgery prior to racecourse bow when well beaten in Kempton bumper in February but much better when third in Wetherby bumper following month. Hurdles bow here for top yard.

Form: 73-

Do Wanna Know²⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: C E Longsdon

14/1

Bought for £50,000 after finishing runner-up in Irish point in January and makes his debut here in Britian for yard having fairly quiet time. May well prove better for the run unless market tells a different story.

Form: 2-

Hurricane Harvey²¹⁸

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

3/1

Close second in first two bumpers then only third when favoruite for similar event at Stratford in March. Has ability and is full-brother to fair chaser Kumbeshwar, so with yard going great guns at present is well worth considering.

Form: 52223-

Ikeja³¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey

150/1

€9,500 Dahjee gelding who failed to set pulses racing on racecourse bow when beaten over 100 lengths in Uttoxeter bumper last December. Not seen since then and has a first try over hurdles here.

Form: 7-

Killer Clown¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle

5/1

Well related Getaway gelding bought for £135,000 after winning Irish point-to-point on debut last December. Hung left closing stages on British debut in Worcester bumper in May and finished close second. Has ability and could be fair prospect.

Form: 1-2

Known¹⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson

8/1

€55,000 Fame And Glory gelding who shaped with definite promise when beaten only two lengths in Worcester bumper in May (Killer Clown second). Yard maintaining fine start to season so has to be on any shortlist.

Form: 4

Meyer Lansky²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill

22/1

Purchased for hefty £105,000 after finishing third on debut in Irish point-to-point in March. Made Rules debut in Worcester bumper last month and did well, finishing solid three-length second. Yard not in top gear but had a few winners recently.

Form: 3-2

Mickey Buckman¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore

6/1

Showed little in Fontwell novice hurdle in June but left that behind when defying odds of 100/1 to finish pleasing runner-up at Huntingdon last time. Probably wasn't a great race but is going the right way and is respected.

Form: 5/2

Midnight Glance²⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

25/1

Passing Glance gelding ran well enough when fourth in Newbury bumper on debut in January but didn't build on that two monhts later in Wincanton bumper when evenutally well beaten. Hurdles bow for fine yard but may find this tough.

Form: 47-

Republican¹⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: O Sherwood

33/1

Gelded son of Kayf Tara cost €72,000. Fourth in bumper on racecourse bow at Fontwell in March but weakened quickly final 2f in similar event at Huntingdon in May. First hurdles outing and will probably benefit from experience.

Form: 4-5

Rumble B²³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: Mrs S J Humphrey

100/1

Third when favourite for 3m Alnwick point-to-point bumper in March. Makes Rules debut here and will most likely need more time before fulfilling potential.

Form: 3-

Shah An Shah¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Paul O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: C E Longsdon

100/1

Stable companion of Do Wanna Know. Third of five in Market Rasen bumper in March, but didn't jump too well on hurdles debut at Kempton a few weeks ago and big improvement needed in what looks a fair race.

Form: 3-5

Fricka¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Graham Carson⁽⁷⁾| T: A Carson| CD

14/1

Went close in two of her three bumpers last term and popped up at the second time of asking over hurdles over C&D recently, belying odds of 25/1 after being allowed an easy lead. Jumps well but may find a few too good ont his occasion.

Form: 6232-61

Forecasts

Hurricane Harvey (3/1), Captain Woodie (4/1), Killer Clown (5/1), Mickey Buckman (6/1), Known (8/1), Do Wanna Know (14/1), Dog Of War (14/1), Fricka (14/1), Meyer Lansky (22/1), Midnight Glance (25/1), Republican (33/1), Bullsempire (80/1), Shah An Shah (100/1), Rumble B (100/1), Ikeja (150/1)

Killer Clown and KNOWN were separated by little more than a length when second and fourth respectively in a Warwck bumper in May and there might not be much between the pair once again as they renew battle over hurdles. Preference is very marginally for the latter. Hurricane Harvey is another who should win his share and represents a yard in cracking form at the moment, while both Dog of War and Captain Woodie could also make their presence felt. Meyer Lansky and Mickey Buckman are others to note for any market support.