Bedlinog Inn Christmas Party Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 34.7s

Thomas Macdonagh^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 132| D

1/3

From a yard having a top-class season he's faced with a fairly easy task having shown some useful form in bumpers, looks on the up as a hurdler. Sound wins at Hexham and Wetherby (handicap debut by 15L); hat-trick beckons under a penalty.

Form: 422-411

Colorado Doc²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: C Brace⁽³⁾| T: D Brace| D

7/4

Prolific winner in point-to-points (6-10) although he's not been seen in that discipline since March 2018. Gambled on last time in a race over C&D in testing conditions and nearly landed the money (worn down dying strides), should go well again.

Form: U1411/2

Lermoos Legend²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen

25/1

Bred to stay well he's so far shown no more than a glimmer of promise in a pair of bumpers (looked a hard ride second time) at Stratford and in a 2m novice hurdle here. Only beat one home last time and can't be expected to show much before handicaps.

Form: 548

Forecasts

Thomas Macdonagh (1/3), Colorado Doc (7/4), Lermoos Legend (25/1)

It’s hard to rate THOMAS MACDONAGH as anything but impressive in his last two starts demolishing his field on handicap debut by 15L last time at Wetherby. He returns to novice company in a bid to continue his upward curve and complete a hat-trick. Given his form so far he really ought to have too much class for his main and only real rival Colorado Doc who was only just touched off over C&D last time after he was well found in the market. Lermoos Legend appears set to take third by default unless there are any mishaps to either of the principals.