12:05 Cheltenham

Saturday 16 November 2019

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:00

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Hyde Novices' Hurdle)

Off time: 12:07 | Winning time: 5m 22.25s

Thyme Hill³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

11/8

Progressive bumper sort last year when he emerged as the best of the GB contenders in the Champion Bumper at the Festival (finished third). Made an impressive start to his hurdles career (landed a Grade 2 by 2L); looks an exciting prospect.

Form: 123-1

Champagne Well^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 137| CD

5/1

Bumper winner who gained a deserved success for some respectable efforts over hurdles last season when taking a C&D novice at the last meeting. Given a good ride on that occasion he'll need to show more here to make an impact up in grade.

Form: 32D36-1

Born By The Sea²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr L P Gilligan| T: P J Gilligan

100/1

A Killarney maiden winner back in August on his third start over hurdles (didn't need to improve to win that) he failed to cope with the rise in grade at Listowel next time up in trip. Good second on the Flat last time; more needed reverting to hurdl

Form: F314

Dancing On My Own²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 140

9/2

Made the most of a good/easy opportunity last time out capitalising on some previous sound form when winning at Wexford. Suited by going left-handed he's worth another try at this longer trip with ground conditions to suit.

Form: 234P-41

Happygolucky²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

10/1

Runner-up in his only point-to-point he made a very taking debut at Stratford last month looking well suited by a test of stamina (looked professional). Forged clear to win by 11L; this is tougher, not hard to see him making above-average progress.

Form: 2-1

I K Brunel²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 138

8/1

Carlisle debut bumper winner who bettered that form on his third hurdles start when returned to calmer waters from his previous hurdles exploits at Fontwell last time. Likely to stay this trip, deserves his chance, something to find though.

Form: 136-1

L'Air Du Vent²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard

14/1

Easy bumper winner on his debut at Bangor who then produced a taking first effort over hurdles over C&D after six months off. Not beaten far by Champagne Well into third (looked a big danger at one stage); should improve, could reverse that form.

Form: F1-3

Some Day Soon³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 135

12/1

Steady improver over the summer hurdling period winning four in a row, kept his reputation rising when upped in grade last time to finish a creditable third to Thyme Hill. Should remain competitive, faces a tough task to reverse that piece of form.

Form: 2-11113

Forecasts

Thyme Hill (11/8), Dancing On My Own (9/2), Champagne Well (5/1), I K Brunel (8/1), Happygolucky (10/1), Some Day Soon (12/1), L'Air Du Vent (14/1), Born By The Sea (100/1)

A good opener to the card (a race that was saved from Friday’s cancelled card) with THYME HILL setting the standard not only with his bumper form but that of his initial hurdles win also, he should be able to keep Some Day Soon in check again. The biggest dangers may well emerge from the following duo Irish raider Dancing On My Own and L’Air Du Vent. The former looks well worth another try over this trip having handled the heavy going well when winning over 2m last time whilst the latter can only improve on his third to Champagne Well on his hurdling debut. I K Brunel and Happygolucky can’t be ignored in an event that doesn’t lack for strength in depth.