14:10 Doncaster

Sunday 29 December 2019

All11:5512:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:20

CWS Plumbing And Heating British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 46.65s

Vinnie Dev³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: L P Aspell| T: Noel Williams| OR: 125

4/1

Made a winning rules/hurdles debut at Uttoxeter (2m4f, soft) in November before acquitting himself reasonably well under a penalty (third) at Ascot; this is an easier option (two grades lower).

Form: F341-13

Corrany³⁴

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

5/4

Much improved on his second hurdles start when going down all guns blazing to the Fergal O'Brien-trained Hurricane Harvey at Ludlow (2m5½f, soft); is certain to figure prominently if reproducing that level of form.

Form: 37-392

Cremant⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland

100/1

With Colin Bowe when an 8L winner at Taylorstown (3m, good) in April; finished last of seven in a Uttoxeter bumper (2m, heavy) on debut for Neil Mulholland; now switches to hurdling.

Form: P21-7

Demachine⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee

22/1

Half-brother to the point winner Havana River; 40-1 for debut at Chepstow (2m3½f, soft) when a well beaten seventh of 12 to Potters Venture.

Form: 7

Eclair On Line^p1,t1⁴⁴

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

14/1

Bought for £34,000 in April after winning a 3m maiden by 8L at Loughbrickland (yielding to soft); disappointing at Southwell (3m) after a fair fifth at Wetherby (2m3½f) previously; tongue-tie and cheekpieces are newly applied.

Form: 71-5P

Eyes Up

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J McGrath| T: T Lawes

50/1

Cost €27,000 as a yearling, and is a half-brother to the smart 2m hurdler Quel Destin; merits a cautionary market check on that basis alone.

Form:

Fier Echezeaux³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

40/1

Cost £46,000 as a 3yo; fifth foal and a half-brother to the useful French chaser Savigny (2m1f-2m7f); was always in rear (25-1) on debut in a hot Ascot bumper won by Soaring Glory; is swiftly switched to hurdling by Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Form: 0

One Touch²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling

9/2

Took a late season Chepstow bumper by 2¾L (2m, good to soft); weakened from the second last on hurdles/seasonal debut at Southwell (1m7½f, soft) in November; may strip fitter and wiser for that run/initial experience.

Form: 1/481-4

Shattered Glass²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore

100/1

Bought for £35,000 in May after winning by a short-head for Sean Thomas Doyle at Inchydoney (3m, good); raced prominently until weakening as the pace quickened on hurdles/stable debut at Wetherby (2m5½f, soft) three weeks ago.

Form: P-10

Sometimes Always³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: Ian Williams

6/1

Kept on past beaten horses when finishing 17L fourth to Igor on hurdles debut at Ascot (2m3½f, soft) in November; that form has been boosted since by the second (Papa Tango Charly), third (Fred) and the sixth (St Barts); chance.

Form: 54

Soyouthinksoagain²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

33/1

Twice placed in bumpers (Lingfield & Huntingdon) but has achieved precious little since switched to hurdling; can't be considered as a major threat to the market leaders.

Form: 33-50

Non-Runners

Balagan²⁶

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: N B King J: Bryony Le Clerc

Forecasts

Corrany (5/4), Vinnie Dev (4/1), One Touch (9/2), Sometimes Always (6/1), Eclair On Line (14/1), Demachine (22/1), Balagan (25/1), Soyouthinksoagain (33/1), Fier Echezeaux (40/1), Eyes Up (50/1), Shattered Glass (100/1), Cremant (100/1)

Vinnie Dev is eased in grade from Ascot (Class 2) and could prove capable of defying a penalty at a more realistic level, while the Nicky Henderson-trained Corrany is almost certain to be on the premises if reproducing the form of his fighting Ludlow second to Hurricane Harvey. However, at potentially more rewarding odds a speculative selection is the Ian Williams-trained SOMETIMES ALWAYS. This Presenting gelding has shown ability in both previous starts at Ascot (bumper and a maiden hurdle). He kept on past beaten horses when fourth to Igor latest, form which has been boosted since by both Fred (Kempton winner) and St Barts (Uttoxeter winner).