13:00 Newton Abbot

Tuesday 8 September 2020

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

PKF Francis Clark 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 4m 20.80s

Calum Gilhooley¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 115| C

6/5

Bumper winner who has made a good start over hurdles, well on top when winning 21.6f novice here last month. Return to shorter in his favour and big shout under penalty for in-form yard.

Form: 10/21

Eye Of An Eagle²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: T Lawes| OR: 110

4/1

Promise in bumpers and showed plenty more over hurdles second time up when third at Fontwell (19.2f) on return, looking in control until hanging right run-in. Can win races if straightening up.

Form: 74/4-3

Ivorsalegend⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: P Gundry

300/1

No impact in bumpers/C&D maiden hurdle last week (after wind op).

Form: 89P

Jack Thunder²⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann

66/1

Showed plenty in Tipperary bumper in May 2019 and not knocked about in a couple of maiden hurdles in the mud for new yard last autumn. Should come on for this return.

Form: PU2/240-

Majestic Merlin²⁰⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J WhiteWS

33/1

Brother to fairly useful hurdler Midnight Midge. First beaten in Exeter bumper on debut in February and has moved yards/had a wind op.

Form: P-

Oscars Moonshine²³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

16/1

Showed clear ability in a bumper but has shown nothing over hurdles, off the bridle disconcertingly early at Taunton when last seen 7 months ago. Jury out on him.

Form: 5870-

Sakhee's Conquest²⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins

250/1

Proved a bit disappointing twice in bumpers after a fairly promising start last year. Goes hurdling after 8 months off and bred for a stiffer test.

Form: 300-

The Bees Knees²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| BF

5/1

£55,000 buy after striking at the third time of asking in Irish points. Promise in bumpers 5 months apart and should have a future now jumping. Interesting.

Form: PF13-3

Ultragold^t¹⁷⁷

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 137| D

13/2

Dual Topham winner who struggled badly last season, including in hunter chases. Lightly raced over hurdles and would no doubt pick these up at his peak, but must be a chance he's regressed too much.

Form: P0/P763-

Dont Go Gentle³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

16/1

Showed a bit in bumpers and looked and ran as if needing it sent hurdling after 7 months off at Cartmel (17.2f) 4 weeks ago, finishing tired. Could do a lot better here.

Form: 30-4

Presenting Yeats³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: M F Harris

20/1

Off the mark in weak Stratford bumper last month. His dam, a half-sister to Paisley Park no less, made a winning start over hurdles after bumper glory so he's certainly not out of this.

Form: 0-31

Forecasts

Calum Gilhooley (6/5), Eye Of An Eagle (4/1), The Bees Knees (5/1), Ultragold (13/2), Dont Go Gentle (16/1), Oscars Moonshine (16/1), Presenting Yeats (20/1), Majestic Merlin (33/1), Jack Thunder (66/1), Sakhee's Conquest (250/1), Ivorsalegend (300/1)

CALUM GILHOOLEY opened his account over hurdles in good style here 3 weeks ago and can follow up under a penalty with this shorter trip unlikely to be a problem. Presenting Yeats struck in a bumper last time and is bred for this game, so certainly couldn't be ruled out. Dont Go Gentle and The Bees Knees are a couple of the others to note.