13:00 Hereford

Monday 31 January 2022

All13:0013:3014:0014:3015:0015:3016:00

Royal Equestrian Bedding Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 4m 3.75s

Maninsane⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117| D

7/2

Market Rasen maiden winner in October and wasn't beaten far when eighth of 18 on handicap bow at Cheltenham a month later. Would've been placed but final-flight fall last time and he's a key player.

Form: 23F-18F

Just The Man²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 113| D

15/2

Suited by return to patient tactics when off the mark over hurdles at Ludlow in October. However, his limitations have subsequently been exposed and others make greater appeal here.

Form: 27-3153

Black Poppy³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Brendan Powell| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 108| D

5/6

Warwick bumper winner on debut last spring. Fair form in maiden/novice company and likely to play a leading role now making the switch to handicap company off what looks a fair mark.

Form: 1-F342

Famoso^t⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: H Brown| OR: 107

50/1

Placed a couple of times in maiden hurdles last season, but disappointing in a couple of handicaps this time round following a wind op and needs to get back on track for new yard.

Form: 8032-75

Gambie Tiep²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 104

8/1

French bumper winner who didn't shape badly starting out for new connections when fourth in an 11-runner novice at Wincanton. May have more to offer now handicapping and he needs a second look.

Form: 9/3P14-4

Stamina Chope¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts| OR: 98

80/1

Fair maiden hurdler at best, but hasn't really fired in 3 starts for new yard and it's probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 530-345

Sulbrick²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 95

20/1

Not disgraced on second attempt in this sphere when third at Ludlow, but out with the washing next time and needs to raise his game significantly now pitched into a handicap.

Form: 8-6738

Chantilly Haze¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: P C Dando| OR: 92

11/1

Yet to get her head in front, but she found just one too good off 3 lb higher at Leicester in December. Should be on the premises if able to bounce back following recent low-key display at Exeter.

Form: 2742P6

Letsbe Avenue²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Jack Martin⁽⁷⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 81

28/1

Three-time winner on the Flat and placed on a couple of occasions in this sphere. However, well held both starts since returning to action last month and 6 lb 'wrong' at the weights here.

Form: 6F83-79

Forecasts

Black Poppy (5/6), Maninsane (7/2), Just The Man (15/2), Gambie Tiep (8/1), Chantilly Haze (11/1), Sulbrick (20/1), Letsbe Avenue (28/1), Famoso (50/1), Stamina Chope (80/1)

The two with the most appealing claims are BLACK POPPY and Maninsane. Choosing between them isn't easy, but there is hope that Black Poppy will raise his game a touch now going down the handicap route off an opening mark which, judged on the form of his debut success in a Warwick bumper last spring, looks manageable. Gambie Tiep is most interesting of the remainder.