15:50 Kempton

Saturday 14 March 2020

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Paddy's Rewards Club Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:53 | Winning time: 5m 18.98s

Farouk De Cheneau²³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128

9/2

Off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles in France and makes British debut here; obviously well respected and strong market support would add to confidence.

Form: 271

Up The Straight³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: R Rowe| OR: 135

5/1

Good winner of a Lingfield novice (2m3½f, heavy) on hurdles bow in November; form that has worked out well. Well held since however in Sandown Grade 2 but better effort last time at Huntingdon; chances.

Form: 242-173

Whatsupwithyou⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling

8/1

Point-to-point winner just under 12 months ago and made the perfect start to his Rules career when taking a heavy ground maiden hurdle over an extended 2m5f at Ascot in December; not fluent and pulled up next time at Warwick; needs to bounce back.

Form: 421-1P

Counteract⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: Miss S Smith

100/1

Beaten by over 30 lengths on all his three racecourse appearances including debut over hurdles in January; difficult to see him being involved.

Form: 506

Flic Ou Voyou⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 128| BF

7/2

Dual bumper winner who has yet to score over hurdles despite turning in promising performances in his first two starts over obstacles; had easier chances to win first race since but too soon to write off.

Form: 10-2322

Numitor⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: H Main

100/1

Definite signs of ability in two bumpers but well beaten on hurdles debut at Doncaster in January, and simply looks a bit outclassed today.

Form: 5-88

On To Victory³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 125

7/2

Smart Flat sort who has shown plenty of aptitude for hurdling despite unseating his rider on his debut in this sphere. Again shaped well at Newbury over 2m but reserved best when stepped up in trip last time; definite chance.

Form: U32

The Hotelier^t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Kieran Burke

66/1

Put a desperate hurdles debut behind him when running a much better race at Wincanton last time out though still unlikely to be good enough at the present time.

Form: P-3P3

Daphne Du Clos^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 125

7/2

Only blip on a progressive hurdles profile was when being brought down at Wincanton on Boxing Day; showed good form to win a handicap last time out and one to consider.

Form: 21/5-4B1

Forecasts

Flic Ou Voyou (7/2), Daphne Du Clos (7/2), On To Victory (7/2), Farouk De Cheneau (9/2), Up The Straight (5/1), Whatsupwithyou (8/1), The Hotelier (66/1), Numitor (100/1), Counteract (100/1)

UP THE STRAIGHT has shown enough in his first three starts to suggest he would be capable of landing this for trainer Richard Rowe. He produced his best performance last time out in defeat but if reproducing close to that he may prove too strong for his rivals. All eyes will be on Farouk De Cheneau making his British debut. He showed a good attitude when racing in France and if continuing his progression, he should go well. The mare Daphne Du Clos has been running well all season and can possibly give the selection most to do.