12:30 Warwick

Wednesday 20 November 2019

All12:3013:0513:3514:1014:4015:1015:40

Visit racingtv.com 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:31 | Winning time: 4m 2.5s

Bran¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds

14/1

Full brother to the useful 2m hurdler Waxies Dargle that made a perfectly satisfactory debut at Uttoxeter three weeks ago, fourth in what looked a decent bumper; likely to progress again now seeing some obstacles, and not discounted.

Form: 4

Captain Woodie¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| D

3/1

Twice a bumper winner but that was back in 2016/2017 and he's only been seen twice on a racecourse since then; raced too keenly on reappearance and was done with pretty quickly, and comes with plenty of risk attached now.

Form: 141/7-7

Dash Of Blue⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: B I Case

40/1

Did a lot better on the second of his two starts when staying on nicely in the latter stages to finish fifth, beaten 7½l, in a Worcester bumper in October; ought to have a future at the game and worth a second look.

Form: 9-5

Donatello Mail¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: David Dennis

66/1

Point-to-point winner last year but there's little to cheer in his four starts under Rules so far, although he hinted at better at Chepstow last time out; needs plenty more to get involved.

Form: P100-08

Durouyn¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: Henry Oliver| D

25/1

Won a point-to-point at Hereford back in April, has shown steady if unspectacular form in two starts (made favourite to win a bumper on debut) and might be one for handicaps further down the line.

Form: 1-25

Et Apres Thou²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

25/1

Nicely bred but has shown only limited ability in three bumpers to date, and nowhere near enough on latest start after a break at Wincanton last month; may be fitter for that and with top yard, but needs to start showing a bit more on hurdles debut.

Form: 59-0

Getaman²⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: D J Jeffreys

40/1

Winner of two bumpers in Ireland last season, purchased by current connections for £21,000 at Doncaster sales in May; hurdles debut today and given yard can land gambles with these types, is at least worth a market check.

Form: 212PP1-

Lemon Shoulder

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton

33/1

Purchased for £18,000 in May of last year, bred for the job and with top yard for hurdles debut; this doesn't look the strongest of events and if he's any ability, he ought to be up to taking a hand in the finish. Market will guide.

Form:

Maxi Jazz³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P R Webber

125/1

Beaten just one horse home in two starts so far, and needs more than a leap of faith to get involved here.

Form: 0-0

Nothing Man¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Bargary| T: David Dennis

125/1

Decent debut when fourth in an Ayr bumper but hasn't repeated that form in three subsequent starts; hard to fancy and might be best watched with a view to handicaps in mind.

Form: 40-08

Over Stated^h1⁷⁰³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips

25/1

Point-to-point winner back in 2017 and did show a degree of ability in two hurdles starts for this yard that year; however, not seen since then and not hard to think he'll need the run after so long off.

Form: PUF156/

Pirate Sam³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T J Phelan| T: D G Bridgwater

125/1

Bred to stay and simply found things happening far too quickly for him on hurdles debut at Plumpton last month; that's a likely scenario again here.

Form: 0

Skylanna Breeze¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: J & A O'Neill

100/1

Only moderate form shown to date in point-to-points, bumpers and a novice hurdle last time out; no realistic chance here and looks one for handicaps later in the season.

Form: P32-07

State Vision¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon

11/1

Has run to a similar level all four starts to date, two bumpers and two novice hurdles, without progressing much; might want better ground than he'll encounter here too, and overall not hard to look elsewhere for the winner.

Form: 5-487

Emmas Joy³³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

4/7

Third to the useful Prudhomme at Uttoxeter last time looks good form, as does her close second to the useful Timetochill at Huntingdon in a Listed bumper last year; this looks a good opportunity for her and she's probably the one to beat.

Form: 1/1258-3

Forecasts

Emmas Joy (4/7), Captain Woodie (3/1), State Vision (11/1), Bran (14/1), Over Stated (25/1), Durouyn (25/1), Et Apres Thou (25/1), Lemon Shoulder (33/1), Dash Of Blue (40/1), Getaman (40/1), Donatello Mail (66/1), Skylanna Breeze (100/1), Nothing Man (125/1), Maxi Jazz (125/1), Pirate Sam (125/1)

This looks quite open for a novice event. Emmas Joy, in receipt of 7lb, looks the one to beat on form and it's hard not to see her going close, but there are plenty of others that have shown promise that could improve past her. Both BRAN and Dash Of Blue showed plenty in their respective bumpers and preference is for the former, who won't mind the ground (brother Waxies Dargle revelled in it) and looks the sort to do better now seeing some hurdles. State Vision has some form in the bank and if handling the ground, has place chances. Captain Woodie needs to bounce back and for those looking for a flyer at a big price, Donatello Mall could go well.