14:30 Hereford

Tuesday 12 November 2019

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Rewarding Ownership With The ROA EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 2.30s

Akarita Lights¹⁷⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams| D

14/1

Prevailed for the first time over hurdles at Market Rasen (2m4½f) on his latest start. Has yet to finish outside the first two in his five appearances so far. This will be his opening run for his new yard. One for the shortlist.

Form: 22/12-1

War Lord²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| D

2/1

Broke his maiden on his hurdles debut at Plumpton (2m) last time out in what was just his second start of his career. He was driven out at the finish to score by 1L in the 12 runner contest. Remains open to improvement. Leading contender.

Form: 5-1

Ask Himself²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: M Scudamore

2/1

Lightly-raced gelding who has yet to score in three starts under Rules. He was second of 10 runners in a promising display at Carlisle (2m1f) last time out. May improve on latest outing which puts him in with a good chance.

Form: 3/24-2

Let's Getaway²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Kerry Lee

66/1

Failed to shine on his debut over this C&D last month as he could only come home 12th of 13 runners. Jumped big over a lot of his fences on that first run. Needs to take a huge step forward on this latest attempt.

Form: 0

Red Nika²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: T Lacey| BF

3/1

A point-to-point winner who made an encouraging debut under Rules at this course over 2m3½f last time when he was second of nine runners. This drop down in distance should suit him. One to consider.

Form: 1-2

Richie Valentine²²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Edward Austin⁽⁷⁾| T: J G M O'Shea

100/1

Was a long way down the field in both of his two bumper appearances. Improved on his opening start over hurdles when he was second of eight runners at Fontwell (2m3f). Has since switched yards. Has each-way claims if he builds on his latest run.

Form: 7/82-

Ring The Moon⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams

40/1

Has performed well without success in bumpers. He made his hurdles debut over this C&D earlier this month where he could only finish 12th of 16. Needs to improve a lot on that first run over hurdles. Others appeal more.

Form: 9/32-0

Shanacoole Prince²³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

10/1

Prevailed in a point-to-point at Lismore (3m) on his penultimate start. Set for his debut under Rules here over a much shorter trip than he has been appearing at. Look out for any market confidence behind him.

Form: 23/F31P-

Straw Fan Jack²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis

66/1

Struggled on his debut under Rules at Worcester (2m) last month in a bumper as he came home at the rear of 12 runners after going off at 66/1. Has a lot to find on many of his rivals here on his second start. Hard to make a case for.

Form: 20

Love Of Midnight²⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Mason

80/1

Has been a long way down the field in her two bumper appearances to date. She was fourth of six on her latest effort at Taunton (2m½f), 24L off the winner. Set for her first outing over hurdles here. Best to watch.

Form: 54-

Streets Of Fire²³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁵⁾| T: Jean-Rene Auvray

50/1

Has prevailed in a point-to-point run earlier this year. She made her debut under Rules in a bumper at Chepstow (2m) where she was seventh of 14 runners after racing too keenly in early stages. This is her first start over hurdles. Needs to improve.

Form: 3P217-

Zarazena

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: L Heard| T: Henry Oliver

80/1

Yeats filly whose dam was a winner on the Flat over 7f and 1m. She is a half-sister to multiple hurdles winners, including Zerashan. One to watch on her opening appearance on the track.

Form:

Forecasts

Ask Himself (2/1), War Lord (2/1), Red Nika (3/1), Shanacoole Prince (10/1), Akarita Lights (14/1), Ring The Moon (40/1), Streets Of Fire (50/1), Straw Fan Jack (66/1), Let's Getaway (66/1), Love Of Midnight (80/1), Zarazena (80/1), Richie Valentine (100/1)

WAR LORD is the one to beat here on the basis of his performance at Plumpton where he broke his maiden at the first attempt over hurdles. He will have to carry a penalty but he looks good enough to do so. Red Nika showed he won't need to wait long for his first win under Rules on his encouraging debut at this course. He just struggled in the closing stages of that race so expect an even better run over this trip, while Akarita Lights is never far away and he should be in the frame again on his first start for his new yard.