15:35 Cheltenham

Saturday 28 January 2023

All11:4012:1012:4013:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 5m 5.84s

Henri The Second^t1⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 133| D

7/2

Looked a smart prospect when winning first 2 starts in bumpers last season and built on hurdling debut promise at Chepstow when going one better at Sandown (19.8f, soft) just over 8 weeks ago. More to come, and a first-time tongue strap is applied today.

Form: 11P-21

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Mofasa⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Luca Morgan| T: M Scudamore| OR: 133| BF| CD

14/1

Shaped like a stayer only start in bumpers and very much a useful novice in the making in this sphere, doing well to overcome a mistake to double his career tally over C&D in October. Disappointed sent off 4/9 favourite at Newcastle last time (lost shoe) so needs to get back on track.

Form: 4-114

Can You Call^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 131| D

11/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who ended last term with success in handicap chase at Catterick (19f). Stepped up on his reappearance when running out an impressive winner at Uttoxeter (19.9f, heavy) 4 weeks ago but will need to improve again to land this.

Form: 5F31-21

Cruz Control³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey

10/1

Fairly useful in bumpers (a winner on second start) and made the perfect start in this sphere with a stylish victory at Newcastle (16.9f, soft) last month. Sure to progress but this is a big ask on just his second outing over timber.

Form: 217-1

Doctor Brown Bear^t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Slevin| T: M Brassil| OR: 119

50/1

Too lit up in first-time tongue strap when mid-field in Fred Winter here last March and shaped as if needing the run after 10 months off in maiden at Limerick (16f, heavy) on Boxing Day. Unlikely he will be opening his account in this.

Form: 23440-5

Moka De Vassy²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 122

66/1

Excelled himself when runner-up in Triumph trial on this card 12 months ago. Not at that level in the Adonis a month later and offered little on return in Challow Novices' Hurdle at Newbury (20.5f, soft) 4 weeks ago. Readily passed over.

Form: 6325-P

Pembroke³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136

5/4

Bumper winner on Rules debut last spring and has improved markedly with each of his 3 starts in this sphere, most recently running away with a Ludlow novice (15.8f, soft) in December. Looks ready for this step into graded company and he's a big player.

Form: 2F1-711

Rock My Way²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: S Hosie

13/2

Winning Irish pointer who was unconsidered by the market (66/1) but looked a useful prospect nonetheless when runner-up on hurdling debut over C&D on New Year's Day, pulling miles clear of the remainder. Looks sure to improve and would be dangerous to discount.

Form: P3-12

War Soldier²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 124

12/1

Built on hurdles debut promise when landing a Newcastle maiden in November. Further progress when following up at Haydock (15.6f, soft) last month and while a good deal more will be needed at this level, he's not ruled out.

Form: 317-411

Way Out¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: S Hosie

100/1

Off the mark in Irish points at the third attempt and displayed plenty of ability on first 2 starts in bumpers. Showed plenty to work on with a hood fitted when runner-up on hurdling debut at Taunton (19f, soft) earlier this month but work to do in the jumping department.

Form: 31-2302

Non-Runners

Blenkinsop²⁸

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: H D Daly J: Non Runner

Bonttay⁵⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Pembroke (5/4), Henri The Second (7/2), Blenkinsop (6/1), Rock My Way (13/2), Cruz Control (10/1), Can You Call (11/1), War Soldier (12/1), Mofasa (14/1), Bonttay (20/1), Doctor Brown Bear (50/1), Moka De Vassy (66/1), Way Out (100/1)

A potentially very informative novice in which cases can be made for several but PEMBROKE is improving in leaps and bounds so Dan Skelton's charge gets the verdict to take this step into graded company in his stride. He can complete the hat-trick at the expense of Henri The Second, who ran to a useful level when opening his account second time up over timber at Sandown early last month, with once-raced Rock My Way completing the shortlist.