13:25 Warwick

Friday 5 November 2021

All12:5013:2514:0014:3015:0515:3516:05

Franco 'Firework' Esposito Is 40 Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 4m 36.90s

Unanswered Prayers³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon

8/1

Ex-pointer who has made a positive start under Rules, second in a bumper, then making a successful hurdling debut at Uttoxeter. This will prove tougher under a penalty, though.

Form: P/2225-1

Blue Stello³⁴⁸

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

3/1

€30,000 3-y-o, £75,000 4-y-o, Spider Flight gelding. Half-brother to 17f-2½m hurdle/chase winner Beniwells. Runner-up sole start in Irish points (Nov 2020). Makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 2-

Complete Unknown²³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

2/1

Impressive winner of a bumper at Thurles on Rules debut and has been bought for six figures since. Very much one to note making stable/hurdling debut after 7 months off.

Form: U/1-

Foxinthebox¹⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| BF

4/1

Runner-up sole start between the flags and filled the same spot (just failed) in an Aintree bumper 175 days ago. Should take to this discipline, and stable has been in good form.

Form: 2-2

Great Universe¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: T Gallagher

400/1

No sign of ability in bumpers, so unlikely to feature on hurdling bow.

Form: 90-0

Paschals Dream^h1,t1⁶⁰⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: D BourneWS

150/1

Placed in points but went with little promise on Rules debut in a Tipperary bumper in May 2018. Has had a wind operation ahead of this return to Rules. Also fitted with first-time hood.

Form: 27263U/

Pumpkin's Pride¹⁸²

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

50/1

Well-related 5yo who broke a blood vessel when seventh in a bumper at Market Rasen on sole start to date. Should take to hurdling.

Form: 7

River Legend²⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

12/1

Hails from a top yard and had a considerate introduction when third in a bumper at Market Rasen 8 months ago. Interesting addition on hurdles bow.

Form: 3-

The Wise Traveller²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon

40/1

Successful on his sole outing in points and best effort under Rules to date when third in a novice hurdle at Stratford 20 days ago. He's still likely to be outclassed, though.

Form: 19-P3

Hardy Boy¹⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| BF

25/1

Out of a winning hurdler and showed some ability when fourth in a bumper here 6 months ago. Would need to step forward from that if he's to compete in this warm race.

Form: 4

Pulling Stumps¹⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White

17/2

Gambled on ahead of a convincing winning debut in a Ludlow bumper in May for Mel Rowley. Picked up by top connections since and out of a winning hurdler, so he's an obvious player.

Form: 1

Result Amended

Unanswered Prayers - Original Position 1st. Amended Position 2nd.

Blue Stello - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 1st.

Forecasts

Complete Unknown (2/1), Blue Stello (3/1), Foxinthebox (4/1), Unanswered Prayers (8/1), Pulling Stumps (17/2), River Legend (12/1), Hardy Boy (25/1), The Wise Traveller (40/1), Pumpkin's Pride (50/1), Paschals Dream (150/1), Great Universe (400/1)

COMPLETE UNKNOWN looked a bright prospect when comfortably landing a bumper at Thurles and, having joined Paul Nicholls since, he's fancied to maintain his unbeaten record under Rules now switched to hurdling. Blue Stello warrants plenty of respect starting out for Nicky Henderson having been runner-up in a point, and Pulling Stumps shouldn't be ignored in what looks a potentially strong novice.