14:25 Sandown

Saturday 7 January 2023

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Unibet Tolworth Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 14.10s

Arctic Bresil²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead

9/2

An expensive buy after finishing runner-up on his completed start in points and looked an excellent prospect in going one better in a 22-runner Cork maiden hurdle (16.8f, soft) last month, leading before 2 out and quickening clear. Much better to come and needs taking seriously.

Form: U2-1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Authorised Speed³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 132| CD

5/4

Useful bumper winner who very easily landed 12-runner novice at Lingfield (19.5f) on his hurdling debut in November. Followed up back down in trip over C&D last month, again looking very speedy, and is open to further improvement.

Form: 2145-11

Blow Your Wad^p1⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 126| D

22/1

Showed useful form in bumpers without looking totally straightforward, including when fourth in Aintree Grade 2. Good start over hurdles when runner-up at Ascot and went one better at Kempton despite his jumping still lacking fluency. Cheekpieces on for 1st time. Remains capable of better.

Form: 224-21

Colonel Harry^t⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 122| CD

20/1

Easy winner of second start in Irish points (subsequently bought for £130,000) and left hurdling debut form behind when making all in a C&D novice (heavy) 62 days ago, well on top finish. Open to further improvement and worth a shot at this level.

Form: F1-21

L'astroboy⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| D

16/1

Made winning start when edging out Tahmuras in a Ffos Las bumper in February and looked a good prospect when maintaining his unbeaten record on hurdling debut there (15.8f, soft) 10 months on, just shaken up to assert again run-in. Open to significant improvement.

Form: 1-1

Nemean Lion³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 131| D

18/1

Useful stayer on the Flat in France for Andre Fabre in 2020 and looked an exciting prospect when making a successful debut over hurdles at Hereford. Just as good when runner-up under a penalty in a stronger race at Haydock subsequently and not taken lightly for all this is another step up.

Form: 12

Tahmuras⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134| D

5/2

Successful pointer who hasn't looked back since finding only L'Astroboy too strong on his debut, winning a Wincanton bumper and both his hurdle starts in impressive fashion. Will go on improving and has strong claims.

Form: 121-11

Ukantango⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 129| D

40/1

Placed in Irish points and won first 3 starts under Rules, namely bumper (on soft) and brace of novice hurdles. Improved again when runner-up to Fennor Cross in Cheltenham Grade 2 in November and dangerous to rule out further progress.

Form: 5/31-112

Forecasts

Authorised Speed (5/4), Tahmuras (5/2), Arctic Bresil (9/2), L'astroboy (16/1), Nemean Lion (18/1), Colonel Harry (20/1), Blow Your Wad (22/1), Ukantango (40/1)

TAHMURAS has got plenty of speed yet was encouragingly strong at the finish when making it 2 from 2 over hurdles at Haydock and there's no reason at all why he won't continue improving for a while yet, so he's selected to come out on top. Authorised Speed and Arctic Bresil also look very promising and warrant plenty of respect, though others can't be dismissed lightly too in a race that is perhaps a bit more open than the early market suggests.