12:25 Wetherby

Friday 30 October 2020

All11:5512:2513:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:55

bet365 Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 2)

Off time: 12:26 | Winning time: 5m 26.50s

Sidi Ismael³⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 110WS

17/2

Fair 2m bumper winner. Better form over hurdles but pulled up at Kelso when last seen 10 months ago, so returns with something to prove on the back of wind surgery.

Form: 1/2744P-

Dog Of War^t⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 108| BF

11/1

Fair in bumpers and not without promise in a trio of novice hurdles last winter. Struggling some way out on return/handicap debut at Southwell (20.4f) in August but it remains early days with him.

Form: 73/967-P

Six One Nine²⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Ross Chapman| T: C Grant| OR: 108

28/1

Showed ability in bumpers and left opening pair of exploits in maiden/novice hurdle events in his wake when runner-up in a 19.8f Musselburgh novice in February. Handicap debut.

Form: 9/38P62-

Apple Rock⁸^{(ex 7)}

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 101

5/6

Placed in points and confirmed promise of maiden/novice hurdle efforts when landing big field Carlisle handicap (20f) 8 days ago, staying on strongly. Big player under a penalty on that evidence.

Form: 32/543-1

Blaster Yeats²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 104| BF

10/1

Steadily progressive in defeat over hurdles last winter, runner-up over extended 19f here in November. Likely he will come forward for his Sedgefield return 23 days ago and not discounted.

Form: 41/432-7

Apache Creek³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 101

10/3

Seemingly brought along with handicaps in mind and duly made it second time lucky when defying a 6 lb lower mark at Perth (20f) in September. Looks sure to progress further as stamina is drawn out.

Form: 0694-71

The Black Squirrel^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: H Hogarth| OR: 98

16/1

Capitalised on much-reduced mark under this pilot at Cartmel (22f) in August but backward steps in 2 subsequent outings and suspicion he's vulnerable to less exposed types here.

Form: 64-B140

Karabunga Dude⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 95

40/1

Showed little on hurdles debut for Ben Pauling early 2019 but some encouragement to glean from midfield efforts in novice/maiden events in recent months. Will hold more chance now handicapping.

Form: P/56

Hala Princess^p1⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 80

100/1

Poor form shown thus far, offering little either start upon joining from Dan Skelton this summer. Can only be watched operating from out of the weights.

Form: 79P4-70

Non-Runners

Broadway Joe³⁶

Weight: 10-13| Age: 6

T: N W Alexander J: Non Runner

Fortia⁵⁹

Weight: 10-6| Age: 6

T: Micky Hammond J: Miss Becky Smith

Hahadi²

Weight: 10-2| Age: 8

T: T Symonds J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Apple Rock (5/6), Apache Creek (10/3), Hahadi (9/2), Sidi Ismael (17/2), Blaster Yeats (10/1), Dog Of War (11/1), The Black Squirrel (16/1), Broadway Joe (20/1), Six One Nine (28/1), Fortia (33/1), Karabunga Dude (40/1), Hala Princess (100/1)

APPLE ROCK and Apache Creek both arrive on the back of last-time-out victories and rate the pair to focus on. The former looked all about stamina when pulling clear with the runner-up at Carlisle 8 days ago in a strong race for the grade and narrowly shades the vote. Hahadi has been in good form for his new yard of late and completes the shortlist.