12:30 Wetherby

Saturday 16 November 2019

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:2015:50

Dransfields CIU Charity Raceday Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:31 | Winning time: 5m 19.65s

A Ladies Milan^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: S Mulqueen⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

16/1

Irish point runner-up who fell at the first at Hexham last time, but had previously shown some ability. Step up in trip should help this time, and no surprise to see him make a greater impact.

Form: 245F

Fitzroy³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: O Murphy

2/1

Runner-up in both a maiden bumper at Stratford in March (good) and on last month's hurdles debut at Wincanton (1m7½f, good). Longer trip looks positive. Has a bit to prove on soft ground, but if handling it he can go close.

Form: 52-2

Hows Johnny¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: J S Wainwright

66/1

Not devoid of ability in a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) 14-months ago, but never involved on only run since, which was here (2m, soft) recently. Can only watch for the time being.

Form: FF/F77-P

Irish Minister^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: D Thompson| OR: 105

40/1

Showed a bit of ability in a Fairyhouse novices' hurdle (2m, good) this time last year, but not easy to fancy based on anything he has produced in either code since.

Form: 706808-

Kauto D'Amour¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

50/1

Beaten a long way on his hurdles debut over C&D recently. Much more needed.

Form: P-450

Oscar Robertson³⁵

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

7/2

Irish point runner-up in February. Changed hands shortly after that, and was not disgraced on his rules debut in a Chepstow bumper last month (soft). Step up in trip and hurdles to jump should prove beneficial. Probable player.

Form: B2-7

Rare Clouds¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

13/8

Has put up a couple of reasonable efforts under rules so far, his latest 25L defeat at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft) being on his hurdles debut. Stable still struggling for winners, but no surprise if he takes closer order.

Form: 6-6

Thenightisyoung²¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: T R Gretton

100/1

Plenty of jumps success in his pedigree, but was 25-1 and brought down at the second flight on debut at Stratford in April. Watching brief advised this time.

Form: B-

Who's In The Box^h1¹⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: N Kent

14/1

Off the mark in a maiden Irish point (fifth attempt) on good ground in May, and changed hands for £19,000 soon after. Sports a hood for this rules debut, and probably one to watch first time.

Form: 4625-1

Blossoming Forth³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: Ruth Jefferson| D

16/1

Won a three-runner maiden open point (2m4f, good) in May, after which she changed hands for £130,000. Was a drifting 8-1 chance on her rules debut in a Carlisle bumper, when well held. Step up in trip positive for hurdles debut. Interesting.

Form: 10

Forecasts

Rare Clouds (13/8), Fitzroy (2/1), Oscar Robertson (7/2), Who's In The Box (14/1), Blossoming Forth (16/1), A Ladies Milan (16/1), Irish Minister (40/1), Kauto D'Amour (50/1), Hows Johnny (66/1), Thenightisyoung (100/1)

Not many with obvious chances in the opener. It would have been nice to see more from Blossoming Forth on her rules debut, but she could do much better now jumping hurdles and up in trip. Another plus could be soft ground, as plenty of Flemensfirth's progeny act well on it. Therefore, she is not ruled out, but preference this time is for FITZROY, who has shown more so far and should also benefit from going further here. Oscar Robertson looks to have the potential to have a say, while Rare Clouds is not ruled out of the money.