14:20 Ludlow

Wednesday 23 March 2022

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1017:40

Shropshire Homes Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 3m 44.1s

Whizz Kid^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| D

1/6

Useful on Flat (stays 1½m) in Germany. Set stiff task behind Constitution Hill on debut but much more like it after wind op when landing Catterick maiden (15.7f) 3 weeks ago, hard held. More to come.

Form: 51

Bertie's Bandana^t⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

28/1

Notnowcato gelding who was easy to back ultimately looked a longer-term project when well held in a Huntingdon bumper (15.8f) on debut back in December. Tongue tie again fitted now hurdling.

Form: 0

Fort Nelson²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Jordan Nailor⁽³⁾| T: S-J Davies

150/1

Modest maiden on the Flat for Jonathan Portman and, having been sold cheaply, he offered little starting out over hurdles in a C&D maiden last month, dropping away home turn. Passed over.

Form: 0

Howdy Partner²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: James Davies| T: Mrs N S Evans

40/1

Third in an Irish bumper last summer but unplaced in points thereafter and only set to show minor promise on second hurdle start prior to unseating late in a C&D maiden recently. One for handicaps.

Form: 365PU

Imperial Hurley⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien

33/1

Planteur gelding who finished well held in a bumper/maiden hurdle during second half of 2021 for Tom Symonds. Has since switched yards and best watched unless market vibes are particularly positive.

Form: 8P

Kellahen⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds

5/1

Useful on Flat in Germany/France (stays 11f). Some promise when fourth in a Huntingdon novice on yard debut in January, though reportedly bled. Still, expected to do better.

Form: 4

Tika Moon^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Rex Dingle| T: P R Webber

50/1

Fared better than previously when third in a 2m Worcester bumper last summer but pulled up both starts over hurdles in recent months, never involved in a C&D novice 3 weeks ago. Tongue tie refitted.

Form: 8-43PP

Torino^t1³³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: O Greenall & J GuerrieroWS

11/1

Half-brother to fairly useful hurdler Scholastic (17f winner). Fair form in pair of 10f Flat maidens for Donnacha O'Brien early last year and betting should guide now hurdling/on back of wind op.

Form:

Non-Runners

Fortunedefortunata²

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: D G Bridgwater J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Whizz Kid (1/6), Kellahen (5/1), Fortunedefortunata (11/2), Torino (11/1), Bertie's Bandana (28/1), Imperial Hurley (33/1), Howdy Partner (40/1), Tika Moon (50/1), Fort Nelson (150/1)

WHIZZ KID was set a stiff task on hurdles debut and, on the back of a wind op, quickly got on the up when landing a Catterick maiden hard held 3 weeks ago. Useful on the Flat, he promises to do better still and can follow up. Kellahen can emerge best of the rest.