14:25 Newbury

Wednesday 18 December 2019

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:2515:0015:30

Conundrum EBF Stallions 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 13.2s

I K Brunel³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 134

10/1

Took a Carlisle bumper on his debut just over a year ago and got off the mark when returned to calmer waters over hurdles at Fontwell in October over this sort of trip. Well held when tried in a Grade 2 last time (well held both attempts at that leve

Form: 136-18

The Big Breakaway²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard

1/2

Lived up to his big reputation gained when winning his on his sole Irish point-to-point run (cost €360,000) at Chepstow last time (Rules debut). Toyed with some more experienced rivals to win easily; wouldn't look out of place in a higher grade.

Form: 1-1

Craigneiche¹⁸⁰

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

7/2

Looked a good prospect when winning a Market Rasen summer bumper by 6L staying on strongly (looked professional). Half-brother to a fairly useful hurdler, in good hands and ought to at least give the market leader a good test.

Form: 1

Forget You Not¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: P R Webber

125/1

Brother to two winners amongst some other useful relations so is bred to do better but so far hasn't shown anything over hurdles. May do better in time buy hard to see him making an impact in this contest.

Form: 00

Frisco Bay^t1¹²

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

50/1

Tongue-tie now goes on for his third start under Rules having shown little on hurdling debut last time. Has hit the frame in two Irish point-to-points, quite well found in the market for his bumper debut so may yet do better further down the line.

Form: 4-260

Killer Clown⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle

11/1

Won his sole start in Irish point-to-points and made a promising start on his bumper debut when only found out by inexperience. That promise was again in evidence on his first start over hurdles after a break, sure to come on for that run.

Form: 1-25

Midnight Glance⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King

50/1

From a good stable and there was some promise in his two bumpers starts especially his debut here in January. Well held on his first try over hurdles although his SP of 25-1 indicated he wasn't that fancied; longer term prospect.

Form: 47-0

Papa Tango Charly²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & A O'Neill

6/1

Didn't come cheap at £440,000 on the strength of his debut win in his sole Irish point-to-point. Offered something to work on from his Rules debut and shaped much better upped in grade last time at Ascot (runner up); open to further progress.

Form: 1-72

San Rumoldo²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| BF

40/1

Bumper winner at Southwell on his debut in March he's failed to met that level of form since in another bumper and on his hurdling debut. Favourite for his first experience of hurdles he lacked the necessary experience to make his mark; work to do.

Form: 1-07

Steady Away⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| BF

50/1

Fair form in a couple of bumpers at the start of the year he's ran well enough on his hurdling debut when back from an eight month break. Went backwards from that run last time when weak in the market despite starting favourite; has to bounce back.

Form: 70-26

Watar Allstar^p¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Page Fuller⁽³⁾| T: Miss Z C Davison

200/1

Showed more temperament than ability in bumpers and the situation hasn't improved since he was sent hurdling. Showed very little last time failing to inspire any confidence in his chance here.

Form: 5/08-60

Forecasts

The Big Breakaway (1/2), Craigneiche (7/2), Papa Tango Charly (6/1), I K Brunel (10/1), Killer Clown (11/1), San Rumoldo (40/1), Steady Away (50/1), Frisco Bay (50/1), Midnight Glance (50/1), Forget You Not (125/1), Watar Allstar (200/1)

The way that THE BIG BREAKAWAY bulldozed his way through the field at Chepstow left a lasting impression and he’ll surely take another step in the right direction here before going on to contest loftier targets in the future. He’s expected to prove too strong for a decent field but one that lacks his star quality based on his hurdles debut. I K Brunel one of his likely rivals has been found out at Grade 2 level twice and will appreciate this ease in grade but the main danger is expected to come from Craigneiche representing a stable with a good record with their novice hurdlers here. Killer Clown and Papa Tango Charly also enter the mix but are expected to be playing for the minor places.