14:20 Hereford

Wednesday 23 November 2022

All12:5013:2013:5014:2014:5015:2015:50

Hereford Motor Group Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 6.40s

Atlanta Brave¹⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee

11/4

£19,000 3-y-o, 85,000 gns 4-y-o, Aizavoski gelding. Brother to bumper winner Mary's Pride. Dam unraced. Won Irish maiden point on debut, May 21. Much respected in a race lacking depth.

Form: 1

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Beau Balko^h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

1/2

Successful on his sole Flat start in France and shaped promisingly sent hurdling in a hood when runner-up at Chepstow (2m) 4 weeks ago, going with enthusiasm. Sure to improve and this looks a good opportunity to go one better.

Form: 2

Be Fair²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: A W Carroll

25/1

Fair handicapper on Flat, stays 1¾m, not knocked about returning from a 3-month break at Southwell 26 days ago. Showed some aptitude for hurdling both starts in 2020 but needs to find a chunk of improvement if he's to play a leading role.

Form: 64/

Freddy Boy²⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G BridgwaterWS

150/1

Midnight Legend gelding who showed only greenness when well held in a Huntingdon bumper on debut back in March. Has had a breathing operation since.

Form: 0-

Le Balcon²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys

150/1

Made frame twice from 4 outings in Irish points but has shown nothing both Rules starts 8 months apart.

Form: 34/P55-3

Thankyourluckystar²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph

11/2

Has shown some ability in a bumper/course maiden hurdle but is probably more one for handicaps in due course.

Form: 56

Unwanted Attention⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: R Potter

100/1

Keener than ideal when well held in bumper/maiden hurdle.

Form: 68

Waterloo Quay²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: David Dennis

16/1

Fair form in bumpers but well held in a pair of maiden hurdles 6 months apart.

Form: 22/52-30

Stevie Mckeane⁵¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: James Best| T: M Young

150/1

Modest maiden on the Flat and well held completed start over hurdles.

Form: 8U-

Non-Runners

Ardenay⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: Christian Williams J: Jack Tudor

Forecasts

Beau Balko (1/2), Atlanta Brave (11/4), Thankyourluckystar (11/2), Waterloo Quay (16/1), Be Fair (25/1), Ardenay (33/1), Unwanted Attention (100/1), Le Balcon (150/1), Stevie Mckeane (150/1), Freddy Boy (150/1)

BEAU BALKO shaped promisingly sent hurdling in a hood when runner-up at Chepstow 4 weeks ago and this looks an excellent opportunity to go one better with improvement on the cards. Atlanta Brave is an interesting newcomer to Rules having won his sole start in Irish points and is expected to pose the main threat.