12:18 Plumpton

Sunday 3 January 2021

All12:1812:4813:2013:5314:2514:5815:28

Sky Sports Racing On Sky 415 Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:19 | Winning time: 4m 0.25s

Bay Of Intrigue³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J McGrath| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 113

7/4

Progressive form without getting his head in front over hurdles, in fourth when fell last in 20f novice at Hereford 39 days ago. Holds good claims.

Form: 4F57-5F

El Tornado⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford

33/1

18/1, eighth of 11 in novice at Stratford (16.3f, good to soft) on hurdles bow 66 days ago. Lot more required.

Form: 9-8

Iron Mike¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: Nick Mitchell

7/5

Fair 12f Flat winner. Failed to build on hurdling debut promise when only sixth of 14 in novice hurdle at Wincanton (19.8f) 19 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 36

Percy's Prince²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: Mrs A J Perrett| D

66/1

Modest 2m Flat winner but last at Lingfield (12f, AW) 21 days ago. Goes hurdling now with bit to prove.

Form:

Picturesque View⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater

11/1

200/1 but hinted at promise under a patient ride when sixth of 13 in novice hurdle at Southwell (15.8f, good to soft) on NH debut 40 days ago. Likely to improve, so no forlorn hope this time.

Form: 6

Translink^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland

17/2

Fair form in bumpers before (40/1) never-dangerous fifth of 13 in novice at Ludlow (15.8f, heavy) on hurdles bow 18 days ago. In good hands so may still do better.

Form: 2D65

Whataboutwalt^h¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: Ella Pickard

28/1

Hooded and best effort when sixth of 10 in 2m novice hurdle at Exeter (100/1) 17 days ago. Needs another big step forward here though.

Form: 70-596

Brown Bullet^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: James Best| T: Miss Z C Davison

8/1

100/1, best run in three starts over hurdles when fourth of 13 in novice over C&D 20 days ago. More required if she's to open her account though.

Form: 71-3U64

Clonusker Lady^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs L C Jewell

400/1

150/1 and hooded, twelfth of 13 in novice hurdle over C&D on NH debut 20 days ago. Hard to warm to.

Form: 0

Non-Runners

Smurphy Enki¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: C Gordon J: Tom Cannon

Forecasts

Smurphy Enki (8/11), Iron Mike (7/5), Bay Of Intrigue (7/4), Brown Bullet (8/1), Translink (17/2), Picturesque View (11/1), Whataboutwalt (28/1), El Tornado (33/1), Percy's Prince (66/1), Clonusker Lady (400/1)

BAY OF INTRIGUE's form is on an upward curve so he is taken to gain compensation for his last-flight fall at Hereford and open his account. C&D winner Smurphy Enki would be a formidable opponent if taking his chance (pulled up in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday). Iron Mike looks the pick of the remainder and a solid place prospect.