12:40 Taunton

Thursday 24 November 2022

All12:4013:1013:4514:2014:5015:2015:50

Join Racing TV Now 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 4m 13.60s

Timeforatune^p1¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| D

1/4

Smart bumper performer who left hurdles debut effort well behind when making all in a 15-runner Exeter novice (16.7f, good to soft), despite repeatedly wandering/hanging approaching his obstacles. Fitting of cheekpieces may help in that respect and he remains open to improvement.

Form: 1118-41

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Blueblood³⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: Mark Gillard

125/1

Some fair efforts in bumpers for previous connections in Ireland but offered little in 2 starts over hurdles for new yard last November.

Form: 0/54473-

Champagne Gift²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: D J Jeffreys

125/1

No show in 2 starts under Rules so far and is probably more one for handicaps in due course.

Form: 82-50

Imperial Measure³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

40/1

Half-brother to useful hurdler Coffee and clear signs of ability without being knocked about when mid-field in a 2m Chepstow bumper on debut last month. Place possibilities if able to build on that now switched to hurdles.

Form: 6

Inspector Lynley¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland

100/1

Safely held in a couple of bumpers and beaten a long way when last of 4 on hurdles debut at Wincanton.

Form: 7-54

Mamoon Star³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

5/2

Made the frame on 3 of his 4 starts in bumpers, including when fourth of 11 on return at Cheltenham (16.4f, soft) last month. Should have a future over hurdles and entitled to have a say here.

Form: 239-4

Royal Sam¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: M F Harris

33/1

Winner of sole start between the flags last December but he didn't show much in a bumper/maiden hurdle for Evan Williams last season. Again failed to make an impact on recent C&D reappearance for new yard.

Form: 16-45

Talimar Pearl²⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

33/1

Last of 9 on sole point start in February and will only be of interest on Rules debut if the market vibes are notably positive.

Form: 9-

Via Dante^h1¹⁷²

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

66/1

Failed to land a real blow in a couple of starts between the flags earlier this year but joined a top yard as he embarks on a career under Rules, so it'll be interesting to see what the market makes of him,

Form: 54

Bashful Kate¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe

125/1

Beaten a long way both starts to date and yard saddles a more interesting candidate in Via Dante.

Form: 00

Ooh Betty^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke

14/1

Point winner travelled kindly when fourth in 8-runner novice at Stratford on Rules debut last month. Did well to finish as close as she did when third in a 19f novice here next time and this filly remains capable of better.

Form: 7-143

Non-Runners

William Of York⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Timeforatune (1/4), Mamoon Star (5/2), Ooh Betty (14/1), William Of York (14/1), Talimar Pearl (33/1), Royal Sam (33/1), Imperial Measure (40/1), Via Dante (66/1), Inspector Lynley (100/1), Champagne Gift (125/1), Bashful Kate (125/1), Blueblood (125/1)

While TIMEFORATUNE gave his supporters the occasional fright by wandering/hanging approaching his obstacles at Exeter, he was ultimately an impressive winner and is likely to prove hard to beat under a penalty. Indeed, the 6-y-o is probably capable of a good deal better in light of his smart bumper form, and the addition of cheekpieces looks a good move. Hurdles-debutant Mamoon Star is marginally preferred to Ooh Betty and William of York for forecast purposes.