14:15 Sedgefield

Friday 4 December 2020

All12:0012:3513:0513:4014:1514:5015:25

MansionBet Faller Insurance 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 5m 18.46s

Finisk River⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 135

11/4

Quickly made into fairly useful hurdler, scoring twice at Cartmel in August, but well held when fell 3 out in 21f novice at Cheltenham last time. This easier but still needs to brush up his jumping.

Form: 2/3112F

Shantou Express⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 129

1/4

Fairly useful bumper winner who arrives on the up over hurdles, wide-margin scorer of 17f novice at Exeter 45 days ago. Sets a high standard so the one to beat.

Form: 2/13-221

Dr Keenan^p,t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Howell

250/1

Has offered little both runs over hurdles, cheekpieces on when pulled up in 25f novice at Huntingdon (300/1) 13 days ago. Back down in trip but readily opposed.

Form: 6PP/F-8P

Euro Fou¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby

33/1

Being brought along steadily over hurdles 40/1 when never-dangerous sixth of 8 in novice over C&D 10 days ago. Holds place claims.

Form: 3-66

Falcone De Bersy²⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Menzies

28/1

25/1, only ninth of 13 in 2m bumper at Newcastle (AW) on NH debut 9 months ago. In good hands and makes hurdles debut now up in trip so no forlorn hope.

Form: 9-

Foster'sisland²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond

14/1

Fair form when placed in bumpers. 20/1, better etffort over hurdles when third over C&D (soft) 22 days ago. Another big step forward needed here though if he's to trouble the principals.

Form: 3362-P3

Orlas' Abbey⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: S Corbett

250/1

Yet to show much in three starts over hurdles, 400/1 when pulled up in 19f Ayr novice only 4 days ago. Very hard to make a case for.

Form: 0-P9P

Penny Hill¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: R D Day| T: M E Sowersby

250/1

No worthwhile form in two runs over hurdles, 250/1 when last of 10 in 2m Hexham novice 16 days ago. Back up in trip but easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 790

Forecasts

Shantou Express (1/4), Finisk River (11/4), Foster'sisland (14/1), Falcone De Bersy (28/1), Euro Fou (33/1), Orlas' Abbey (250/1), Penny Hill (250/1), Dr Keenan (250/1)

SHANTOU EXPRESS has improved with each of his three runs over hurdles so is confidently expected to follow up his facile Exeter success for the in-form Kim Bailey yard. Dual Cartmel scorer Finisk River should ensure he doesn't have things all his own way though, especially if improving his hurdling, while Euro Fou appeals as the pick of the remainder and a solid place prospect.