13:00 Ffos Las

Monday 16 December 2019

All12:3013:0013:3014:0514:3515:1015:45

Thomas Carroll Group Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 4m 24.10s

Bells Of Barnack²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: Tim Vaughan

50/1

One of three from the yard in this with this one having shown little in a solitary bumper and in three novice hurdles. Failed to complete the last twice; started a three-figure price in all his hurdles starts; hard to fancy.

Form: 40PU

Chez Castel Mail⁹⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: A Stronge

1/1

13L winner of a Fontwell 1m6f bumper in testing conditions back in February going one better than his previous two starts in that sphere. Ran respectably in a strong Newbury bumper when last seen; returns to make his hurdling debut in a weak contest.

Form: 2216/

Flying Garry²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: D A Rees

12/1

Did manage to finish second in his one completed Irish point-to-point (winner since placed under Rules) but has so far shown little under Rules in two starts here. Tried over 2m4f last time (beaten 116L) he now reverts to 2m, would need to improve.

Form: P2-P85

Freedelivery²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan

20/1

Placed twice in maiden Irish point-to-points (pulled up other two starts in that sphere); yet to really show much promise under Rules over hurdles. Qualified for a mark but yet to get one he's bred for longer trips than this; one for the longer term.

Form: PP-2070

Gallic Geordie¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater

33/1

Strong in the betting for a C&D bumper in testing conditions for his debut in the closing event on this year's card he finished a long last. Given a near year long break before two poor hurdles runs of late; makes little appeal on that evidence.

Form: 6-69

Jac Brown⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Mrs D A Hamer| CD

5/4

From a decent jumping family he improved on his first two bumper outings to land a good ground C&D event in May (came from the rear off a steady pace). Struggled last time out back from a break in a much better Cheltenham bumper; makes hurdles bow.

Form: 04-19

Pat Kelly⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington

12/1

Looking at his pedigree more should have been expected on his Chepstow bumper debut as he's a half-brother to three winners. However, he went with little purpose, soon beaten; needs to make major progress on his hurdling debut to get involved.

Form: 0

Witchdoctor^h²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: D Brace

40/1

Little to show for three point-to-point efforts (pulled up in the last two) and has yet to make anything approaching an impression over hurdles. Pulled up on debut he fared little better in a first-time hood over C&D last time; hard to recommend.

Form: 9U-UP7

Caroline's Quest⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

10/1

Made her debut in a Hereford novice last month starting at 50-1 and achieving very little although she didn't really get involved. Has a fair pedigree so too soon to write her off on the back of that solitary outing, this start may reveal more.

Form: 8

Jesse's Lady²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: B J Llewellyn

40/1

Made her debut in a C&D mares' bumper last month starting at 33-1 and producing a run reflecting her chance in the market. Never really involved she looks one who will need some time; now makes her hurdling debut.

Form: 0

Forecasts

Chez Castel Mail (1/1), Jac Brown (5/4), Caroline's Quest (10/1), Flying Garry (12/1), Pat Kelly (12/1), Freedelivery (20/1), Gallic Geordie (33/1), Jesse's Lady (40/1), Witchdoctor (40/1), Bells Of Barnack (50/1)

It’s hard to say that that this is anything else but a weak event with little solid form over hurdles to go on and the fact that it will be run in testing conditions only adds to the fact that its an event to take care with. The two bumper winners JAC BROWN and Chez Castel Mail despite not having jumped a hurdle in public between them look the pair to concentrate on with the former given the nod on likely fitness grounds. Most of the remainder are hard to fancy although Caroline’s Quest and possibly Pat Kelly have less negative evidence against them.