12:40 Kempton

Monday 9 November 2020

All12:4013:1013:4014:1514:4815:2015:53

Bet At racingtv.com Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 3m 46.9s

Grey Spirit^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 128| D

16/5

Fairly useful on Flat for Sir Mark Prescott and going the right way over hurdles fitted with a tongue tie, winning brace of novice events, then stepping up again when second at Ludlow. Should go well.

Form: 63112

Pink Sheets³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: J M Quinlan| T: M Quinn| OR: 119| D

85/40

Bumper winner for Mick Channon and generally progressive as a hurdler, forging clear to make it 2 from 2 in handicaps at Warwick in October. Not ruled out back in novice company.

Form: 56-3211

Ace Time²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: J R Jenkins

250/1

Modest form at best in bumpers and little impression so far over hurdles.

Form: 445-60

Chess Player²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling

14/1

Promising second in a bumper at Ayr in April 2019 and shaped as if in need of the run (eventually pulled up) in a novice at Ayr on hurdling debut. Should do better than that in time.

Form: 2/P

Debbonair²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: F Brennan

250/1

Fair Flat performer for Hugo Palmer and bred to make a hurdler. Only sixth in a novice at Fakenham on hurdling debut, though, so might be more one for the longer term.

Form: 6

Diamond River⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| D

3/1

Improved with each run in bumpers, getting off the mark at Uttoxeter in August. Hurdling debut there didn't go to plan but he's worth another chance.

Form: 32-15

Touch Tight⁶⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr P York⁽⁵⁾| T: P York

150/1

€3,500 3-y-o, Touch of Land gelding. Half-brother to fair hurdler Wells China, stayed 3m. Off mark in Irish points at sixth attempt (Jan 2019). Back from long absence and likely to need further.

Form: P32F21/

Tremwedge⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 126

6/1

Fairly useful hurdler who made a tame return when eighth in a novice at Uttoxeter but would be a definite player if back on his A-game.

Form: 3373-8

Cherry Cola²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: Miss S West| OR: 105

17/2

Form: 3-U3

Non-Runners

Racing Country⁸⁵⁰

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: D Steele J: James Davies

Forecasts

Pink Sheets (85/40), Diamond River (3/1), Grey Spirit (16/5), Tremwedge (6/1), Cherry Cola (17/2), Chess Player (14/1), Racing Country (25/1), Touch Tight (150/1), Debbonair (250/1), Ace Time (250/1)

DIAMOND RIVER made mistakes when ultimately disappointing at Uttoxeter on hurdling debut but, if his top yard has ironed out the flaws in his jumping, this above-average bumper winner should be able to outclass these rivals. That said, Grey Spirit and Pink Sheets are both on the up, and neither will be a pushover.