12:50 Newbury
Wednesday 18 December 2019
All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:30
Prodec Networks Maiden Hurdle
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 69y | Soft (Good to Soft in Places) | 20 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 12:54 | Winning time: 4m 4.45s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Cheekpieces now tried for the first time on this one who is proving expensive to follow over hurdles and exasperated his former trainer Nicky Henderson. Went backwards again from his reappearance in a Taunton handicap last time, not easy to trust.
Not shown much over hurdles so far having been fairly useful on the Flat although not the most convincing of characters at times. His three runs so far have all had the air of one being brought along with handicaps more in mind.
Showed some fair form on the Flat (won two small-field staying handicaps) when with Ed Dunlop. Made little impression on his sole Flat start for this yard straight after a wind op, now goes over hurdles for the first time; may need this.
Gave a flash of ability when finishing fifth on his second bumper start at Worcester in October but fell well below that level when making his hurdles debut last time. Can't be taken seriously in this and best watched for now.
Only cost €10,000 as a 3yo but looked worth every euro when making a successful bumper debut at Stratford earlier in the year by 10L. Easily beat one with previous experience, looks a smart prospect on that basis, hurdles debut.
In good hands for a jumping career but as yet he appears to be hiding rather than showing any ability that he has. Efforts in bumpers and over hurdles have been modest at best; of more interest when introduced to handicaps.
Placed in Irish point-to-points, cost £20,000 as a 4yo; offered something to work on from his Chepstow hurdling debut (not given a hard time once held). Ought to do better at some point further down the line; better expected here.
Returns to this yard having been a progressive stayer on the Flat for Ed Walker (had two spells at that yard). Hurdles form so far has been held back by his errant jumping but we are probably yet to see the best of him as a hurdler; sound prospect.
Left his previous two efforts over hurdles behind him when taking the runner up slot at Fontwell when last seen, travelled well into the race. Returns from a break kept to maiden company (has a mark of 115); may well do better in handicaps.
From a stable that are having a good season but has never run before so does lack some experience. Half-brother to three winners with his dam also related to jumping winners. Best watched though unless the market suggests otherwise.
Made a promising start to his career when taking a summer bumper at Market Rasen by 9L. Showed some promise on his hurdling debut at Kempton last month; stable is in a real slump at the moment though, only limited appeal.
Both his bumper and hurdles debut have contained some promise although he did look in need of the experience here in a novice hurdle last time. Bred to be suited by further than this 2m trip, he should do better granted time and distance.
Winner of an Irish point-to-point on debut and subsequently sold for £82,000. Looked short of speed on his bumper debut (pedigree suggests staying trips will suit); back to 2m after finishing well held on hurdling debut here over 2m4f.
Pedigree suggests that he should be showing more than he has so far in two bumper outing and a hurdling start last time here when he was well held. Hard to make anything approaching a solid case for him on the evidence so far.
Hurdling debutant from a top-class yard who has already proved himself useful in Irish point-to-points and on his Kempton bumper debut. Won that bumper in the style of a good prospect (form not worked out); still a leading prospect on hurdles debut.
Produced a laboured effort when well held over C&D on his hurdling bow having shown modest form in three bumpers prior to that. Hard to think he'll be among the principals based on what we have seen so far.
Fair sort on the Flat who scored at up to 1m2f and showed the benefit of his initial hurdling experience just four days earlier when third at Kempton to a previous and subsequent winner. Bit more needed here but one to remember for handicaps.
Winning point-to-pointer but he's shown very little under Rules in bumpers (prior to running in points) and novice hurdles after being successful in that sphere. In good hands but not much encouragement so far.
Flat form was modest at best; pitched in fairly deeply for her hurdling bow at Ascot and showed very little. Looks in for another tough test here and not much more expected.
One standout bumper run when second here in March but didn't live up to that run next time and no has to overcome a fair absence given her hurdling debut. Would be a surprise to see her successful on hurdles debut.
Non-Runners
1
Al Kout57
Weight: 11-0| Age: 5
T: H Main J: Aidan Coleman
NR
Forecasts
Shishkin (8/11), Enemy Coast Ahead (7/2), Garbanzo (11/2), Morning Spirit (12/1), Al Kout (14/1), Iconic Muddle (16/1), Dagueneau (20/1), Mahler's Promise (33/1), Pens Man (40/1), Uther Pendragon (40/1), Blazing Saddles (66/1), Present Endeavour (66/1), Bardd (80/1), Et Apres Thou (100/1), Dylan's Sea Song (100/1), Fancy A Dance (100/1), Kerb Line (100/1), Brockagh Cailin (100/1), Dash Of Blue (100/1), Symphony Hall (125/1), Whiskey Moon (125/1)
The record that Nicky Henderson has in this race (won four of last nine renewals including the last two) immediately draws you towards SHISHKIN who on what we have seen so far looks a top-class prospect and he’s taken to win this on his hurdling debut. Plenty of others are of interest though including another one who took his only bumper in good style Enemy Coast Ahead. Garbanzo now back with Dr Richard Newland will need to tidy his hurdling up but he also looks one with a future. Of those fresh out of the box from the Flat Al Kout and Dagueneau make some appeal based on their form on the level while Iconic Muddle, Uther Pendragon and Pens Man all look handicap prospects over hurdles.
- Shishkin
- Enemy Coast Ahead
- Uther Pendragon
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £4,484.002nd: £1,317.003rd: £658.004th: £329.00
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