12:05 Cheltenham

Saturday 12 December 2020

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (Novices' Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:06 | Winning time: 4m 17.40s

Historic Heart^p1²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-5| J: David Noonan| T: N J Hawke| OR: 118| D

12/1

Fair Flat maiden who has already bettered that level as a hurdler, taking his tally in this sphere to two when landing a juvenile at Wetherby, Never a factor at this venue last time and headgear on.

Form: 31415

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Son Of Red¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

11/2

Opened his account on the Flat at seventh time of asking in a 1½m Southwell handicap and continued the good work when making a winning hurdles debut at Newcastle a fortnight ago. More to come.

Form: 1

Adagio²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 130

4/9

Fairly useful in 3 races on the Flat in France and off the mark at the first attempt over hurdles at Warwick. Better form in defeat when runner-up in a Grade 2 at this venue a month ago. One to beat.

Form: 12

Blue Slate^p¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: F Brennan| OR: 113

100/1

Modest maiden on Flat who stepped up markedly on his opening run over hurdles when springing a surprise at Leicester a fortnight ago. This demands another jolt of improvement.

Form: 41

Camouflaged^p,t1⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C J MannWS

40/1

Fairly useful handicapper stayer for Mark Johnston on the Flat and bought in for plenty by new connections. Failed to see race out on hurdles bow and has undergone a wind op (tongue tie added).

Form: 6

Pawpaw¹⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: P R Webber

66/1

Fair on Flat, stays 1¼m, off mark in handicap last time. Sold from Clive Cox 62,000 gns in July but this isn't an easy starting point over hurdles.

Form:

Shake A Leg⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

4/1

Fairly useful on Flat, stays 1½m, creditable effort last time. Sold from Andrew Oliver 30,000 gns in October and joined successful NH yard.

Form:

Simply True^p⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys

18/1

Dam half-sister to bumper winner/fairly useful hurdler (stayed 2½m) Dr Livingstone. Fairly useful on Flat, stays 11f, below form last time: sold from Andrew Oliver 50,000 gns in October.

Form:

Non-Runners

Elham Valley⁷

Weight: 11-5| Age: 3

T: F O'Brien J: C Brace

Forecasts

Adagio (4/9), Shake A Leg (4/1), Elham Valley (4/1), Son Of Red (11/2), Historic Heart (12/1), Simply True (18/1), Camouflaged (40/1), Pawpaw (66/1), Blue Slate (100/1)

ADAGIO improved on his winning hurdles debut form when runner-up in a well-run Grade 2 juvenile at the track a month ago and that sets a pretty good standard here. Elham Valley and Son of Red also made the perfect start in this sphere and command respect, for all conceding 3 lb to the selection makes life tough.