12:10 Cheltenham

Friday 13 December 2019

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:12 | Winning time: 4m 24.17s

Glory And Fortune^h²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: T Lacey| OR: 135| C

11/4

Winner of his first two races a bumper (at this venue) and a novice hurdle separated by a ten-month break he improved further last time. Third in a Haydock Listed hurdle (did well having been hampered); remains capable of better, stays well.

Form: 1-13

Olly The Brave¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 128| BF

16/1

Bumper and hurdle winner stepping up on his debut over timber to win at Hereford (second start). Stepped up in trip last time back at the same course his win came at the time before (made effort too soon); potential remains returned to shorter.

Form: 2-1313

Stolen Silver^h,t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

9/1

Fair form in bumpers for Sam Thomas before unseating on his hurdles debut for this yard at Cheltenham (race working out well). Made amends, showing the benefit of that outing when romping home by 17L last time at Ffos Las; bred to be useful.

Form: 52-U1

Chantry House²⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson

5/6

Off the mark at his second attempt in Irish point-to-points (form looks useful), purchased for £295,000 straight after. Beat an established rival easily under hands-and-heels riding on Rules debut (Warwick bumper); looks a useful prospect.

Form: U11-

Pileon²⁶⁴

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

14/1

Took the runner-up slot on the second of his Irish point-to-point runs before justifying support on his Rules debut, taking an Exeter bumper. That form has subsequently looked strong (second running well over hurdles); interesting hurdles newcomer.

Form: 421-

Pipesmoker²¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| BF

16/1

Well backed when making his bumper debut he shaped well enough but may have lacked a little match sharpness (not knocked around behind an impressive winner). Returns from a break facing a similar scenario but adds depth to an interesting race.

Form: 2

Shang Tang²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle

10/1

Showed plenty of ability when taking in three bumpers last season, placed in the last two. Given a considerate introduction to hurdling at Chepstow finishing with running left behind a well-backed favourite (beaten 3L); likely to improve further.

Form: 633-2

Sheshoon Sonny²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King

22/1

Fairly useful bumper winner (third start) at Wetherby who hasn't so far transferred that form to his hurdling exploits. Still looked to be very much work in progress last time at Ascot over 2m3f (kept on at the death); remains with potential.

Form: 421-35

Forecasts

Chantry House (5/6), Glory And Fortune (11/4), Stolen Silver (9/1), Shang Tang (10/1), Pileon (14/1), Pipesmoker (16/1), Olly The Brave (16/1), Sheshoon Sonny (22/1)

A good opener and it’s hard to see any of these not having some further success over hurdles with he race not lacking any depth. Expensive purchase Chantry House won a strong Warwick bumper and looks an exciting prospect for novice hurdles but he’s been off a while and may just need these in the conditions. SHANG TANG caught the eye on his hurdles debut and a slight improvement will see him go close as that experience will have brought him on. Previous hurdles winners Glory And Fortune and Stolen Silver can’t be ignored especially the former after his sound Haydock effort last time. Pileon another hurdling debutant who can’t be left out of the picture adds to the interest.