14:48 Wincanton

Wednesday 26 February 2020

All14:1814:4815:1815:5016:2016:5017:20

Watch On Racing TV Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:49 | Winning time: 3m 56.2s

Fidelio Vallis²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

5/6

Faller at Chepstow when held last time out, but more worryingly has pulled too hard for his own good on his last two starts and isn't getting home with any gusto; needs to settle better, but is the one to beat all the same.

Form: 2-7F

Finisher¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Gillard

12/1

Low grade on the Flat and no better in two starts over hurdles so far; needs this for a handicap mark where he may at least be a bit more competitive.

Form: P9

Jewelinthename²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland

100/1

Was on the retreat when falling two out in a decent contest here on debut last month, and should improve a little, but may still find he's biting off a bit too much today.

Form: F

Lamanver Bel Ami^h⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber

40/1

Definite signs of ability in two bumpers this winter but has found hurdles a bit of an uphill battle so far, well beaten both starts; may be of more interest in handicaps after today, but worth a glance in the market all the same.

Form: 45-70

Lightonthewing¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner

100/1

Well beaten all four starts, although there are signs of ability there; likely to find this too tough all the same, and yard's modus operandi is to get them handicapped before they win.

Form: 0068

Milreu Has¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland

33/1

Good-sized gelding, stopped very quickly at Plumpton last time after making a mistake, probably something amiss; surely better than that, and from a good family, so better can be expected at some point.

Form: 6P

Motdepas³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore

66/1

Has taken on some hot opposition in his two starts so far, and the fact he was started off in a Listed race at Ascot may show he's highly thought of; should continue to improve and not totally ruled out of a winnable race.

Form: 96

Panatos²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn

150/1

Modest on the Falt, and a strike rate of just 1-30 is nothing to write home about; well held both starts so far and likely to find this another struggle.

Form: 08

Ragamuffin³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland

11/2

Purchased for £20,000 after winning sole start in a point-to-point bumper at Revesby last month; from a winning family and clearly has ability, but heavy ground may count against her.

Form: 1

Right Hand Of God³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

14/1

Has plenty of size about him, and turned in a much better effort when third to the useful Beaufort West on his latest start at Fontwell; likely to build on that and if he does, has a solid chance in a winnable race.

Form: 073

Russian Exile²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard

40/1

Not much to shout about in three efforts so far, and was well beaten when falling at the last here on his latest outing; in good hands and capable of better, but may be one that simply needs more time.

Form: 60F

Sadlermor¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

11/2

Won a bumper at Huntingdon last March (good to soft) but hurdles efforts so far not up to that standard, and he looks in need of further already; possibly wants better ground too, and on balance, others make more appeal.

Form: 315-85

Silver Nickel⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins

40/1

Ran okay in a bumper last April and has come up against some useful sorts in two hurdles starts so far, although form only modest; this looks a little easier and he has place possibilities if he can take a step forward today.

Form: 803-89

Zulu^t1⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: Miss G Haywood| OR: 108

18/1

Has twice caught the eye in novice hurdles, latterly when fifth in what looks a good contest at Chepstow (form working out okay); handles heavy and if fit after a break, has each-way chances for small but capable yard.

Form: P-35

Ashley Hollow²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland

150/1

Shown next to nothing in two hurdles starts and hard to see her taking a hand in this; easily passed over today.

Form: 00

Marilyn Monroe^h1³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball

20/1

Bumper winner last May but all gone downhill since then, pulled up at Market Rasen and last of eight (sent off just 3-1) at Plumpton last time; is surely better than those efforts and perhaps the addition of a hood today might see a better effort.

Form: F/13-1P8

Sambella²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: R T Dunne| T: N P Mulholland

100/1

Not disgraced on latest start and will be capable of better when she learns how to settle in her races; probably one for handicaps after today but a better showing wouldn't be a total surprise.

Form: 856

Forecasts

Fidelio Vallis (5/6), Sadlermor (11/2), Ragamuffin (11/2), Finisher (12/1), Right Hand Of God (14/1), Zulu (18/1), Marilyn Monroe (20/1), Milreu Has (33/1), Silver Nickel (40/1), Russian Exile (40/1), Lamanver Bel Ami (40/1), Motdepas (66/1), Sambella (100/1), Lightonthewing (100/1), Jewelinthename (100/1), Panatos (150/1), Ashley Hollow (150/1)

Fidelio Valiris has the form to win this but his tendency to take a keen hold is not ideal in ground that will be very tiring, and he may be vulnerable. RIGHT HAND OF GOD improved a chink at Plumpton last time (despite a bad mistake) and he looks much more of a galloping sort, so this test could suit. He's taken to cause a minor upset. Zulu has run well a couple of times and might be best of the rest, but Milreu Has is a good looker and his Plumpton effort was too bad to be true.