12:10 Kempton

Monday 26 December 2022

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Ladbrokes 'We Play Together' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:10 | Winning time: 3m 53.9s

Rare Edition³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 130| D

7/2

Runner-up on second of 2 starts in Irish points and is 3-3 under Rules in Britain, namely a bumper and 2 novice hurdles. Easily defied a penalty at Doncaster last time and looks a good prospect.

Form: 421-11

Rubaud¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| D

2/1

Useful performer on the Flat in France. Found the Grade 2 Adonis too much on his C&D hurdle debut in February but has returned to win maiden/novice events over 2m at Taunton, pulling clear with a useful Flat performer latterly. Open to further progress.

Form: 8-11

Throne Hall⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: J J Burke| T: A Watson| OR: 128| D

18/1

Useful on the Flat and 2-2 over hurdles, running to quite a useful level when seeing off 3 previous winners in a Wetherby introductory event last month. Another in this line-up who likely has more to offer.

Form: 11

Mamoon Star³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| D

10/1

Failed to win in 4 bumpers but he did achieve a decent level of form and he proved up to making a successful start over hurdles in novice company at Taunton last month, edging out a Nicholls odds-on shot. Seems sure to progress.

Form: 239-41

Awaythelad^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling| OR: 119

9/1

Showed fair form in a trio of starts in bumpers last season and placed in novice/maiden hurdles around 2½m this term. This is a warm race and he will need to find some improvement for the drop to 2m.

Form: 365-23

Father Of Jazz²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

13/2

Useful Flat winner for Roger Varian. Promising start to his hurdle career when second of 16 at Huntingdon (2m) 3 weeks ago. Likely he can build on that and have a big say here.

Form: 2

He's A Latchico⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

100/1

Fairly useful handicapper on Flat (stays 1½m). Completed AW hat-trick in spring and shaped as if better for run after summer break last time. Will need to be very useful to make a winning hurdle debut here.

Form:

Iberico Lord⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson

4/1

Won a French bumper in May. Faded to finish a well-held sixth of 8 on his Cheltenham hurdle debut in November but the fact he went off at only 7/2 in that Grade 2 contest suggests he's well regarded. Could leave that bare form well behind now.

Form: 16

I Hope Star⁶⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| D

80/1

Two bumper wins but absent since the second one at Southwell in May 2021. Sets out over hurdles in a very competitive race and it's likely he's best watched this time.

Form: 156/1-

Off To A Flyer³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

33/1

Cost £180,000 after making a winning point debut but has managed only mid-field finishes in a bumper and novice hurdle under Rules. Still early days but likely he'll find a few too strong again.

Form: 15-6

Forecasts

Rubaud (2/1), Rare Edition (7/2), Iberico Lord (4/1), Father Of Jazz (13/2), Awaythelad (9/1), Mamoon Star (10/1), Throne Hall (18/1), Off To A Flyer (33/1), I Hope Star (80/1), He's A Latchico (100/1)

An interesting opener. RARE EDITION won in taking style at Doncaster and is selected to extend his unbeaten record under Rules to 4 but there plenty of possible threats in a race long on potential. Nicky Henderson has a very good record in this contest so it would be no surprise to see Iberico Lord step up considerably on his opening effort over hurdles. Rubaud, who like the selection is already a dual winner over hurdles, and Dan Skelton's Father of Jazz also make the shortlist.