13:10 Doncaster

Tuesday 29 December 2020

All12:0012:3513:1013:4514:2014:5515:30

British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 5m 10.21s

Ulverston³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 117

13/2

First past the post in maiden (demoted) on final start last term and gained compensation in Uttoxeter novice on reappearance. Ran at least as well in defeat next time so warrants respect.

Form: 328D-13

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Arcadian Pearl⁴⁸

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

11/1

£48,000 purchase from a leading yard. Only seventh in a Southwell bumper but did shape better than the bare result on hurdling bow when third at Exeter last month. Likely to improve on that effort.

Form: 7-3

Chance Finale^t1⁴²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: C N Kellett

100/1

Won Irish point on debut in December 2018 but made an inauspicious start over hurdles when tailed-off at Stratford 14 months ago. Tongue tied on first start for new yard and is probably best watched.

Form: 1/9-

Kennack Bay³⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling

28/1

£35,000 3-y-o, Balko gelding who shaped as if better for the run when well beaten in a bumper at Warwick (16f, soft) 12 months ago. Upped in trip for hurdling debut but others make more appeal.

Form: 0-

Major Dundee⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 124

5/2

Fairly useful bumper winner who showed improved form after 10 months off when runner-up at Warwick on reappearance last month, finding no extra only late on. Open to further improvement.

Form: 10F6-2

Rickety Gate¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards

150/1

Showed promise amidst inexperience when third on bumper debut at Market Rasen in July. Unable to build on that since, including over hurdles, and he looks a handicap project.

Form: 37785

Sleve Donard⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: W Featherstone| T: Tracey Leeson

100/1

€15,000 3-y-o, Mountain High gelding. Brother to a point winner and half-brother to a point winner. Dam (c95/h104) 2¼m-2½m hurdle winner (stayed 3m). Off the mark in Irish points at seventh attempt.

Form: 3/3-PF31

Sometimes Always³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C J Todd⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 127

8/13

Made amends for a narrow defeat at Ascot when winning a 13-runner handicap with a bit in hand at Wetherby 5 weeks ago. Leading claims of following up back in novice company.

Form: 544-21

Non-Runners

Animal⁵¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: Miss S Smith J: M G Nolan

Dorking Lad³³

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: N F Houlihan

Glen Vine⁶⁵⁰

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: K Frost J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Sometimes Always (8/13), Major Dundee (5/2), Dorking Lad (9/2), Ulverston (13/2), Arcadian Pearl (11/1), Glen Vine (12/1), Animal (16/1), Kennack Bay (28/1), Sleve Donard (100/1), Chance Finale (100/1), Rickety Gate (150/1)

SOMETIMES ALWAYS made it fourth time lucky over hurdles when scoring at Wetherby last month, and given the manner of the victory, is a confident selection to follow up back in novice company here. Major Dundee looks sure to be in the mix for Alan King and can chase the selection home, ahead of Dorking Lad and Arcadian Pearl.