12:55 Hereford

Monday 31 October 2022

All12:2012:5513:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:20

Cazoo 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:55 | Winning time: 4m 45.30s

Celtic Fortune¹⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: N P Mulholland

50/1

Fourth sole start between the flags and offered something to work on when fifth on Rules debut in a 10-runner Worcester bumper (2m, soft) during the spring. Still, he looks more one for the longer term.

Form: 4-5

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Fame And Fun¹⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: P F NichollsWS

33/1

Well-related 5yo who didn't show much in a trio of bumpers last season. Has undergone a wind op ahead of this hurdles debut and, given his pedigree and the yard he represents, it would be no surprise were he to do better.

Form: 665-

Gavroche D'allier²⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris

66/1

Winless following half-a-dozen appearances in points and was well beaten when last of 4 in a Fairyhouse bumper on sole start under Rules for previous connections last November.

Form: B44427-

Hurricane Vichi³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: M F Harris| BF

33/1

Runner-up in a point before making a winning start under Rules in a Ffos Las (15.8f, good) bumper in April. Failed to find any fluency on return/hurdles debut at Fontwell and now has a fair bit to prove.

Form: 21-4

Kingsfort Hill²⁸¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton

50/1

Looked limited in 3 starts in Irish bumpers for John Walsh during 2019/20 campaign and didn't show much on sole completed run between the flags last winter. Joined a leading yard ahead of this hurdles debut but he's opposable all the same.

Form: 039/4U-

Marble Sands²³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 123

4/5

Ascot bumper winner for Graeme McPherson in 2020 and showed plenty switched to hurdles for new yard last season, not least when second in a 17-runner Grade 3 novices' handicap at Sandown (19.8f, soft) in March. Sets a useful standard.

Form: 52/2322-

Rockinastorm²⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| BF

6/1

Off the mark at the second attempt in bumpers at Bangor in December but only fourth at Chepstow under a penalty when last seen 10 months ago. Improvement will be needed if he's to make a winning start over hurdles.

Form: 614-

Thankyourluckystar²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph

50/1

Showed ability on belated debut when fifth of 13 in a Worcester bumper (2m, good to soft) earlier this month. Should make a hurdler but there will be easier opportunities than this.

Form: 5

Whodini¹⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

20/1

Every chance when short of room and ran out before last sole outing in Irish points. Having subsequently changed hands for £60,000, he made the frame both starts in bumpers during the spring and should have a future over hurdles.

Form: R43-

A Definite Getaway

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling

28/1

€35,000 3-y-o out of an unraced half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/smart chaser Wenyerreadyfreddie and bumper winner/useful hurdler Shewearsitwell. One to note in the betting for in-form yard.

Form:

Kalibrate⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: M Keighley

150/1

Well held both starts in bumpers 6 months apart and looks set for another struggle now switched to hurdles.

Form: 0-4

King Alexander³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

10/3

Fetched €60,000 as a 3-y-o and impressive start to his career when landing a 2m Warwick bumper (good) last month. Couldn't be in better hands and will surely take a hand in the finish if his jumping passes the test now tackling hurdles.

Form: 1

Tzarmix

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas

12/1

Gemix gelding. Half-brother to fairly useful hurdler/fair chaser Tzar Royal. Dam 17f-19f hurdle/chase winner. Interesting to see which way he goes in the betting.

Form:

Double Or Quits²³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: R P McLernon| T: Alexandra Dunn

150/1

Nearer last than first on her introduction in a Wincanton bumper in March.

Form: 7-

Campsie Linn^t1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle

125/1

Pulled up both starts in points and showed nothing when hooded on Rules debut in a mares' novice hurdles at Chepstow (reportedly suffered with a breathing problem). Hood now discarded and tongue stap applied.

Form: PP-7

Non-Runners

Hunting Brook²⁷⁶

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: Miss E C Lavelle J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Marble Sands (4/5), King Alexander (10/3), Rockinastorm (6/1), Tzarmix (12/1), Hunting Brook (16/1), Whodini (20/1), A Definite Getaway (28/1), Hurricane Vichi (33/1), Fame And Fun (33/1), Thankyourluckystar (50/1), Celtic Fortune (50/1), Kingsfort Hill (50/1), Gavroche D'allier (66/1), Campsie Linn (125/1), Double Or Quits (150/1), Kalibrate (150/1)

This represents a good opportunity for MARBLE SANDS to register a deserved first success over hurdles. The 6-y-o was placed all 4 starts in this sphere last season and sets a very good standard, particularly based on his effort in a Grade 3 Sandown handicap when last seen in March. King Alexander looked potentially useful when landing a Warwick bumper and he will ensure that Marble Sands doesn't have things all his own way. Whodini is most interesting of the remainder.