12:40 Kempton

Monday 21 November 2022

All12:1012:4013:1513:5014:2014:5515:25

EBF Stallions 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 4m 2.50s

Invincible Nao^h²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 127

12/1

Much improved from hurdling debut when winning 14-runner juvenile at Auteuil (17.4f) in April, making all and drawing clear run-in. Left Emmanuel Clayeux for €155,000 in May and far too free, even with a hood, on British debut at Ascot last month.

Form: 461-8

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Lock Out¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| D

9/1

Off mark in Irish points at second attempt and unbeaten under Rules, supplementing his bumper win with plenty in hand over 2 rivals on hurdles debut at Newbury 18 days ago. Can leave bare form behind.

Form: 4-111

Blow Your Wad²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey

4/11

Showed useful form in bumpers without looking totally straightforward, including when an excellent fourth in Grade 2 event at Aintree on final outing last term. Good start over hurdles when runner-up at Ascot and this a good chance for him to go one place better.

Form: 224-2

Carrigdoun Boy³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| D

14/1

Point winner at second attempt who looked potentially useful when making perfect start in bumpers at Southwell in November. Matched rather than bettered that form in this sphere after and having been ignored in the betting, he made a fair start over hurdles when fourth at Cheltenham.

Form: 7/112-34

Champagne Mesdames⁴⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

125/1

€40,000 3-y-o, Diamond Boy gelding. Dam, French maiden jumper, half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/chaser (stayed 2¾m) Harapour. Too green to show much in a Chepstow bumper 13 months ago.

Form: 7-

Gavroche D'allier¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris

100/1

Finished in the frame in 3 of 4 starts in points and surpassed previous efforts under Rules when third at Taunton 11 days ago. This looks too competitive.

Form: 4427-03

Ironica De Thaix³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: Christian Williams

50/1

Won 8-runner newcomers' bumper at Senonnes-Pouance 12 months ago, showing a willing attitude. Acquired for lofty €210,000 thereafter and couldn't show what he could do (hampered) on British debut last month.

Form: 1-0

Moodofthemoment²⁰⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe

80/1

£62,000 5-y-o, Shantou gelding. Closely related to fairly useful chaser In Great Form, stayed 3½m, and bumper winner Cordovan Brown. Successful (beat sole other finisher) on last of 4 starts in Irish points (May 1).

Form: P4P1-

Swapped²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| D

4/1

Landed an AW bumper at Lingfield in December and backed it up with a good second in a more competitive event there next time. Was well held in a Grade 2 event at Aintree on final start last term but switched to hurdling, he found only one too good at Stratford. More to come.

Form: 8120-2

Viking's Way⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

150/1

Runner-up on his final outing in points but failed to meet expectations switched to Rules having been all the rage in the betting at Fontwell (19.2f) last month. Well held at Wetherby and looks a handicap project.

Form: P4P-258

Forecasts

Blow Your Wad (4/11), Swapped (4/1), Lock Out (9/1), Invincible Nao (12/1), Carrigdoun Boy (14/1), Ironica De Thaix (50/1), Moodofthemoment (80/1), Gavroche D'allier (100/1), Champagne Mesdames (125/1), Viking's Way (150/1)

Having displayed plenty of ability in bumpers, BLOW YOUR WAD made a promising start to his hurdles career when runner-up at Ascot 3 weeks ago and this is a good chance for him to get off the mark. Lock Out's winning form at Newbury isn't anything to get excited about but he can progress, with Swapped another to consider.