16:20 Bangor-on-Dee
Friday 7 February 2020
All13:4014:1014:4515:1515:5016:2016:50
New tote British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle
- 4YO to 7YO | Class 4 | 2m 145y | Soft | 11 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 4m 17.57s
Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
Show odds
Posted career-best to break his duck over hurdles at the second attempt when a seven-length winner at Doncaster (2m; good to soft) last month. Form of that race is open to question, but he remains lightly raced and full of potential.
Built upon earlier promise in warm novice hurdles to get off the mark at Wetherby (2m; soft) in which he had a couple of today's outsiders comfortably in behind him. 6lb penalty makes things harder, but he should still be bang there.
Failed to beat a single rival on both starts under rules, and he was 132-length adrift of Stimulating Song who won when he was making his hurdles debut at Wetherby (2m; soft). Hopelessly up against it.
Tailed-off on both starts under rules so far, most recently on hurdles debut at Wetherby (2m; soft). This is another decent race, and he can therefore be ruled out until entering handicap scene.
Hurdles debut effort was a step up on what he showed in bumpers. However, as much as he ran well, he would still need to improve a fair bit from that to feature prominently in this.
Showed ability in bumpers last season, and this isn't as warm as the race he began his season in at Newbury (2m; soft) back in November. Certainly worth another chance, but must prove himself on slower ground.
Purchased by leading connections for €260,000 at the Arqana sales in France in November after winning well at Auteuil (2m2f; very soft) on hurdles debut. Yard going well at present, and he has to be considered a major player on UK debut.
Of more interest when moving into handicaps with further experience under his belt. Beaten just under 50-length into fourth when last seen at Lingfield (2m; heavy), and this looks as competitive on paper.
Can be confidently ruled out given he has been pulled-up when in the process of being tailed-off on both career starts over hurdles. Look elsewhere for more realistic alternatives.
Had no chance, despite posting a more encouraging effort when fourth at Market Rasen (2m2f; soft), in a warm contest. However, this isn't much easier and she looks set for a minor role once more.
Newcomer who was unsold for €9,500 as a foal. Dam a half-sister to three winners. Respected coming from this yard, but he has a useful enough standard to aim at on debut.
Non-Runners
6
Prince Escalus23
Weight: 11-2| Age: 5
T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
NR
Forecasts
Stratagem (11/10), Stimulating Song (11/4), Gaelik Coast (3/1), Maisiebella (16/1), Sadlermor (16/1), Prince Escalus (16/1), Waitonit (20/1), Rollo (20/1), Muse Of Fire (33/1), Knocknagoshel (100/1), Winged Isle (150/1), Battletank (150/1)
This is a competitive novice hurdle, and the winner will be worth following. Previous winners Gaelik Coast and Stimulating Song both set a good standard, with the former preferred out of those two given the form of the race he won last time out is that bit stronger than that of the former. However, it is difficult to get away from the Nicholls' newcomer STRATAGEM who is a bit of an unknown quantity, but arrives on these shores after making the perfect start to life over hurdles in France. He can repay a small figure of his €260,000 price tag by making a winning British/stable debut.
- Stratagem
- Stimulating Song
- Gaelik Coast
Prize Money
1st: £4,094.002nd: £1,202.003rd: £601.004th: £301.00
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