13:38 Wincanton

Saturday 19 February 2022

All13:3814:1314:4815:2015:5816:3317:05

Matchbook Betting Exchange 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:39 | Winning time: 4m 3.24s

Callisto's King²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton

15/2

Fair in bumpers and was given a considerate introduction to hurdling when fourth at Doncaster (16.6f) 22 days ago, finishing with running left. Sure to improve.

Form: 494

Captain Claude¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball

11/1

Fitted with a tongue tie and got off the mark in a weak bumper at Ffos Las in January, but was well held with it left off on his hurdling debut at Fontwell 12 days ago.

Form: 5819

Demothi²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: J D Frost

200/1

Placed in points but sent off 150/1 and showed nothing on Fontwell hurdles debut 20 days ago, left behind over circuit out.

Form: 6U/P83-P

Fairly Famous³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

22/1

£70,000 3-y-o, Fame And Glory gelding who shaped like a stayer when fourth of 7 in a 2m newcomers bumper at Warwick (soft) on debut 35 days ago. Makes a quick switch to hurdles.

Form: 4

Farmer's Gamble²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: David England| T: D Skelton

14/1

Has shown some ability both starts to date, finishing with running left here (19.8f) 24 days ago, but is perhaps more one for handicaps.

Form: 44

Mini Yeats³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: M Hunt

7/2

Made an encouraging start to his career when third in an 11-runner course maiden hurdle but ran to only a similar level at Exeter last time.

Form: 35

Universal Secret³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J E Moore| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 96

14/1

Shaped better than previously when third at Exeter last time but that was a weak race.

Form: 9603

Western Baron²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard

50/1

Is well related but was badly in need of the experience when well held on hurdling debut at Uttoxeter 3 weeks ago.

Form: 7

Grivetana⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls

8/11

Ran out an impressive winner of a 13-runner juvenile hurdle at Cagnes-Sur-Mer (16.4f, soft) 78 days ago. First run for yard after leaving Y. Fouin. Sure to improve and will prove hard to beat.

Form: 1

Non-Runners

Think For A Minit⁵²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: J W Mullins J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Grivetana (8/11), Mini Yeats (7/2), Callisto's King (15/2), Captain Claude (11/1), Farmer's Gamble (14/1), Universal Secret (14/1), Fairly Famous (22/1), Western Baron (50/1), Think For A Minit (50/1), Demothi (200/1)

This looks a good opportunity for GRIVETANA, who ran out a 12-length winner of a French juvenile hurdle in December and should have more to come now in the care of Paul Nicholls. Callisto's King will surely improve following a considerate ride at Doncaster and can give the selection most to think about.