14:15 Taunton
Saturday 18 January 2020
All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2515:5516:25
British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle
- 4YO to 7YO  |  Class 4  |  2m 3f 1y  |  Heavy  |  12 Runners  |  Turf  |   Weighed In
- Off time: 14:16Â Â |Â Â Winning time: 4m 59.3s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Shaped with promise on last two of three career starts and every chance he will again run well for yard that continues in good form (23% strike rate). Slight drop in trip no bad thing.
Maiden pointer who has shown precious little in two starts so far under Rules, both at Exeter. Pulled up last time and appears to face a near-impossible task on evidence to date.
Montmartre gelding who had wind surgery prior to racecourse bow. Showed nothing when last of eight at Wincanton in November on debut but much better latest here finishing 5th over 2m, keeping on. Longer trip should help the cause.
Nathaniel gelding who is half-brother to nine indivudual winners under both codes. Hasn't shown too much thus far though in three starts and will probably do better once he goes handicapping.
Yeats gelding who has shown mildly progressive form in three bumpers so far. Fourth in heavy ground at Plumpton last month and makes hurdles bow here.
Stable companion of Freddy Fanatapan. Fifth in both bumpers suggested he could win a race but hasn't shone in two starts so far over timber. Much more needed of he is to figure here.
€50,000 Oscar gelding from yard that has won this race three times in last eight years. Signs of some ability in two starts for Colin Tizzard before making debut for current handler at Exeter 17 days ago where never better than mid-division.
Shown enough in three unplaced runs to date to suggest he can win a race or two, probably once he goes handicapping. Move up 3f may help the cause and can take another step forward here.
Placed 2-3 bumperrs and made solid hurdles bow when second of 16 at Chepstow in November. Weakened only from last in better race at Cheltenham last time and looks a player here over extra 3f and in an easier contest.
Black Sam Bellamy mare who has shown only modest form in four starts so far. Would be a big surprise if she manages to make the frame in this company.
Runner-up in Ludlow mares bumpers a year ago but hasn't really built on that in four starts since. Led until headed and weakened over 2m5f latest when 10th of 13 at Ludlow and more needed here to trouble the judge.
Winning pointer but has shown only poor form to date in six starts under Rules. 200/1 and tailed off over C&D 11 days ago and can't be fancied.
Forecasts
Shang Tang (10/11), Butterwick Brook (9/4), Folly Gate (7/1), Oscars Moonshine (8/1), Percy Pops (16/1), Madam Malina (18/1), Howaboutrightnow (40/1), Hewn From Granite (40/1), Freddy Fanatapan (80/1), Into The Mist (100/1), Field Master (150/1), Queen Of The Court (200/1)
SHANG TANG is a fairly confident selection. He had shown decent form prior to running well for a long way in better company at Cheltenham last time and the combination of the drop back in class and step up in trip can prove ideal. Main danger may be Oscars Moonshine whose yard has a fine record in this race. He is better than he showed on debut for connections last time, while Butterwick Brook is another representing a top yard who has shown enough to suggest he can win a race. Folly Gate looks best of the rest.
- Shang Tang
- Oscars Moonshine
- Butterwick Brook
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £4,809.002nd: £1,412.003rd: £706.004th: £353.00
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