12:15 Wetherby

Saturday 13 November 2021

All12:1512:5013:2514:0014:3515:1015:45

Dransfields CIU Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:17 | Winning time: 4m 56.5s

Cobblers Dream^h,t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: B I Case| OR: 119| BF

6/4

Impressive winner of bumper in Ireland, and 2m novice hurdle at Warwick (for new yard). Flopped when odds on for Kempton listed race last month, off bridle long way out. This longer trip should suit.

Form: P1-13

Adjournment²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

12/1

Runner-up both starts in points a year apart and ran to a fair level on hurdles debut at Cheltenham (2m, good to firm) last month, outpaced once things warmed up. This stiffer test will suit.

Form: 2/2-6

Grand Du Nord²⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond

9/1

Built on debut promise at the second attempt after 10 weeks off when landing Hexham bumper in April. Longer trip in his favour now hurdling and he's not dismissed on return.

Form: 401-

Le Grand Lion²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling

25/1

Showed fair form in a couple of bumpers but offered little on hurdling debut after 8 months off at Worcester (23f, heavy).

Form: 45-P

Ritson²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: R Menzies

9/2

Fair form in bumpers and showed plenty to work on sent hurdling after 7 months off at Carlisle (20f). Likely improver.

Form: 6334-4

Thunder Rock²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy

13/8

Exeter bumper winner in February and returned with a promising display on hurdles debut behind a smart sort at Newton Abbot, keeping on. Seems sure to improve, and the clear pick for in-form yard.

Form: 2/31-2

Big Changes²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby

150/1

Held in bumpers (first one in Ireland) and Aintree maiden hurdle. Suspect he'll need more time.

Form: 4-50

Phoenix Strike³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam

80/1

Modest maiden stayer on the level. Showed a bit on hurdles debut here last month (returned with a leg wound). Hard to see him figuring prominently in this.

Form: 4

Forecasts

Cobblers Dream (6/4), Thunder Rock (13/8), Ritson (9/2), Grand Du Nord (9/1), Adjournment (12/1), Le Grand Lion (25/1), Phoenix Strike (80/1), Big Changes (150/1)

Hard to see beyond THUNDER ROCK, who made a very bright start over hurdles at Newton Abbot behind a potentially-smart sort and looks sure to improve, with this stiffer test right in his favour. Adjournment is next on the shortlist after a promising display at Cheltenham. Cobblers Dream could bounce back over this longer trip, while Grand du Nord should have a future in this game.