14:30 Huntingdon

Sunday 8 December 2019

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:30

Fitzdares Lord Jim Culloty Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 3m 46.50s

Avoid De Master³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: David Dennis

66/1

Always handy until weakening from the final flight on hurdles debut at Hereford (2m, good), finished 9½L third to Milkwood; not as effective back there next time.

Form: U315-36

Dapa Lad³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: J Candlish

150/1

Yeats gelding whose dam was a maiden hurdler who stayed 2m5f but is a sister to Fiendish Flame who was useful over hurdles. Made some late progress to finish fifth on his debut at Plumpton (2m, heavy) but was still beaten 27L. Needs to improve.

Form: 5

Getaman¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys

150/1

Dual winner in the Irish pointing field last season, he joined connections for £21,000. Made his hurdling debut 18 days ago at Warwick (2m, soft), coming home last of 15 and beaten 49L. Best watched.

Form: 12PP1-0

Known³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

15/8

€55,000 Fame And Glory gelding who has shaped with considerable promise on both starts so far. Finished fourth here (2m3½f) on hurdling debut five weeks ago after being hampered on the home turn. Still open to improvement for leading yard.

Form: 44

Mandalayan²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex

5/1

Full-brother to a 2m hurdle winner, and fairly useful on the Flat at up to 1m6f for Jonathan Portman. Made a promising switch to hurdles for this yard when third at Taunton (2m½f, good), beaten 4¾L. Should be able to build on that.

Form: 3

Marlborough Sounds⁸⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy

25/1

80-rated Flat performer who won twice in Ireland (1m4½f/1m6f). Bought by connections for 25,000 gns and is an interesting newcomer although this trip may be on the short side. Keep a check on the market.

Form:

Overbeck⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Benjamin Poste| T: D K Ivory

150/1

Had two runs on the Flat recently, shaping well on debut when third at Chelmsford (1m2f) but was tailed off at Lingfield (1m2f) 75 days ago having been unruly beforehand. Obviously has ability before further evidence required.

Form:

Perfect City³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

33/1

Held a live chance before suffering a heavy fall on hurdles debut at Southwell (2m, good). After a spin on the Flat, he ran fairly at Market Rasen (2m½f, soft) four weeks ago but was still beaten 28L. Maybe of further interest once handicapping.

Form: F3

Rhosneigr^t1⁴³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Cobden| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

33/1

Has a good Flat pedigree, winning three times on the level for Charlie Hills (7f-1m2f). Off the track for 438 days, he is in good hands for a hurdling career albeit his three siblings who've ran over jumps are 0/19. Market positivity a plus.

Form:

Soyouthinksoagain¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton

66/1

Showed some ability to finish third in two bumper last season (Lingfield/C&D) but was disappointing on hurdling debut here two weeks ago, being beaten 29L. May well come on for the run but will need to based on that effort.

Form: 33-5

Trinity Star⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: Karen McLintock

66/1

Seven-time Flat winner (1m-1m4f) who is making his hurdling debut late on his career. Won at Thirsk (1m4f, good to soft) five starts ago. Best watched trying this new discipline for the first time.

Form:

Twin Star^t²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: Noel Williams

8/1

Had a breathing problem when pulled up on his hurdles debut, but has since shown that he retains most of his useful Flat form (has won over 1m5f). Finished fourth at Taunton (2m½f) four weeks ago but was beaten 16L and needs to step forward.

Form: 0-4

Volunteer²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: S L Keightley

125/1

Placed twice from four starts in bumpers but finished a well beaten eighth on hurdling debut over C&D last month and others make more appeal at present.

Form: 20-028

West Cork^t1³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 118| BF

6/4

Authorititave point winner who has been runner-up on both hurdle starts in recent weeks at Wetherby (2m3½f) and Warwick (2m3f). Behind two useful performers now rated 131 and 146 respectively and his is greatly respected dropping down in trip.

Form: 1-22

Anightinlambourn^h³⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: J E Moore| T: B Pauling

80/1

€35,000 three-year-old; half-sister to useful hurdler Hunters Hoof who was hooded for her Warwick debut. Ran well there but disappointed with the hood removed at Wetherby next time. Off the track for 12 months and best watched for now.

Form: 37-

Sorbet²³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: L P Aspell| T: L Wadham

50/1

Tried on the AW early in the year (made little impact) having started her career in bumpers although the form in that sphere is no more than modest. Had wind surgery before her latest outing; now makes her hurdles debut, one of the lesser lights.

Form: 533-

Forecasts

West Cork (6/4), Known (15/8), Mandalayan (5/1), Twin Star (8/1), Marlborough Sounds (25/1), Perfect City (33/1), Rhosneigr (33/1), Sorbet (50/1), Avoid De Master (66/1), Soyouthinksoagain (66/1), Trinity Star (66/1), Anightinlambourn (80/1), Volunteer (125/1), Getaman (150/1), Dapa Lad (150/1), Overbeck (150/1)

After respectful defeats to Jatiluwih and Espoir De Romay this season, WEST CORK has found his opportunity to get off the mark over hurdles dropping in trip. Another dropping in trip is Known, who may well have gone closer here last time out but for having his momentum checked on the the home turn whilst Mandalayan made a promising start to his hurdling career at Taunton and should be able to build on that performance.