13:15 Wincanton

Saturday 6 November 2021

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:05

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

Off time: 13:17 | Winning time: 3m 33.28s

Knappers Hill²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

1/10

Winner of all 3 starts in bumpers last term, including an Aintree Grade 2. Landed the odds on return/hurdles debut at Chepstow (2m) and he's clearly a bright prospect.

Form: 111-1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Blueblood¹⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: Mark Gillard

100/1

Some fair efforts in bumpers for previous connections in Ireland, but he looks set for a struggle starting out over hurdles for new yard.

Form: 00-544

Earth Company²³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J WhiteWS

10/1

Shaped well when making the frame in bumpers here and at Kempton on first 2 starts last term. Too free on final run of that campaign (wind op since) and should make his mark in this sphere.

Form: 420-

Gala De Corton²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F Nicholls| BF

11/1

Fair form in bumpers last winter, but disappointed on return/hurdles debut at Kempton (21f) and Knappers Hill is clearly the stable first-string.

Form: 306-4

Gorcombe Moonshine^h²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁷⁾| T: J D Frost

66/1

Twice runner-up in small-field bumpers this year and latest effort at Newton Abbot last month was creditable. However, a big step forward will be needed if he's to play a major role now hurdling.

Form: 8224

Nelsons Rock¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁷⁾| T: C L Tizzard

28/1

Successful twice between the flags, but he hasn't shown much in a handful of runs under Rules to date. Yard also saddles Rectory Oak.

Form: 311/54P

Rectory Oak²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard

25/1

Hit the frame on both starts in bumpers, but didn't show much in a couple of spins over hurdles last season.

Form: 2/477-

Samatian³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

40/1

Looked in need of experience in a bumper, then failed to make an impact in a maiden hurdle on debut in this sphere at Uttoxeter (15.8f) last month. Clearly needs to improve.

Form: 6-9

Milanese Rose⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Reed| T: N P Mulholland

50/1

Milan mare who shaped like a stayer both starts in bumpers for Fergal O'Brien. Never in the hunt on hurdles bow for new yard at Stratford 9 days ago and she's likely to need more time and distance.

Form: 84-8

Non-Runners

Kalyptra¹³

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: R J Smith J: D A Jacob

William Ewart¹¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: Christian Williams J: Non Runner

What A Pleasure³³⁹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 5

T: C J Down J: Bryan Carver

Forecasts

Knappers Hill (1/10), Kalyptra (9/2), Earth Company (10/1), Gala De Corton (11/1), Rectory Oak (25/1), Nelsons Rock (28/1), Samatian (40/1), Milanese Rose (50/1), What A Pleasure (66/1), Gorcombe Moonshine (66/1), William Ewart (66/1), Blueblood (100/1)

Paul Nicholls has saddled five of the last seven winners of this race and KNAPPERS HILL is likely to enhance that record. A smart performer in bumpers last season, the 5-y-o made a winning start over hurdles at Chepstow and he should have little trouble in following up here before going on to better things. Kalyptra is taken to follow the selection home, with Earth Company best of the rest.