14:05 Catterick

Thursday 9 January 2020

All12:2513:0013:3514:0514:4015:1015:45

EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 4m 55.9s

Malystic³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Henry Brooke| T: P D Niven

2/1

Impressive 17L winner of a maiden hurdle over an extended 1m7f at Musselburgh (good-to-soft) last time out. Carries a penalty for that victory and is one for the shortlist stepping up in distance.

Form: 1210-U1

Alph^h⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies

14/1

Placed in a bumper for Nicky Henderson but has failed to finish in two starts over hurdles since joining this stable. Better effort prior to unseating before two out after suffering a slipped saddle over this C&D last time out.

Form: 2766-PU

Master Newton¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Colm McCormack⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby

14/1

Six race maiden was beaten 20L when finishing fifth in a maiden hurdle over this C&D on soft ground at the end of last month. More needed if he's to take this event.

Form: 96-3755

Pileon²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

4/9

Bumper winner over 2m1f at Exeter (good-to-soft) in March last year and ran well when finishing 4L fourth at Cheltenham (2m1f, good-to-soft) on hurdling debut last month. Strong claims stepping up in distance.

Form: 421-4

Raymond¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish

14/1

Failed to figure in two starts over hurdles to date including when 31L ninth over 2m at Kelso (soft) last time out. Probably best watched stepping up in distance.

Form: 4-2599

Baby Jane¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Ross Chapman| T: G Boanas

50/1

Well beaten in three starts so far most recently when beaten 79L in finishing seventh over this trip at Wetherby (soft) last month. Others make more appeal.

Form: 567

Cast In Grey²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson

40/1

Regressed since finishing 7¼L third in a 2m mares bumper at Kelso (good) in September. Beatne 94L when 11th at Ludlow (2m5f, soft) last month and is probably best watched at present.

Form: 0-2380

Milanvera¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby

33/1

Disappointing in two starts since switched to hurdles and was beaten 29L when seventh over an extended 1m7f on soft ground here last time out. Likely to be of more interest once tackling handicaps.

Form: 43977

Forecasts

Pileon (4/9), Malystic (2/1), Alph (14/1), Raymond (14/1), Master Newton (14/1), Milanvera (33/1), Cast In Grey (40/1), Baby Jane (50/1)

PILEON wasn't beaten far in decent looking novice hurdle at Cheltenham on hurdling debut last time out and he can register his first victory over obstacles by taking this eight runner event. Malystic, the sole penalised runner in the field looks capable of taking second spot while third can go to Alph who showed better form prior to unseating due to malfunctioning tack on his msot recent start.