14:00 Taunton

Tuesday 7 February 2023

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Rowcliffes Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 4m 44.0s

Holetown Hero^t⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 125| C

11/8

Progressive in bumpers and also going the right way over hurdles, opening his account with something in hand in maiden here (16.5f) last time. Step back up in trip shouldn't pose a problem and he can defy a penalty.

Form: 752-441

Bertie Wooster²⁹

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

33/1

Showed more than on hurdling debut when fourth of 12 in a C&D novice (soft, 16/1) 29 days ago. Should have more to offer given his pedigree but he's probably going to be of more interest in handicaps after this.

Form: 9-64

Bold Reaction⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| BFWS

10/3

Irish point scorer who won the second of 2 bumper starts. Made a sound start to his hurdle career when 17 lengths third in a Sandown maiden on his reappearance but proved a disappointment when behind Holetown Hero here last time. Has since had a breathing op.

Form: F/121-35

Future Investment³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: A King| OR: 120

4/1

Useful staying handicapper on Flat and ran best race over hurdles when beaten only by a useful prospect in a Chepstow novice in December. Not in anything like the same form at Cheltenham last time but big player if bouncing back.

Form: 40-420

Getaway Tothe Wood

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: Miss Sarah Robinson

250/1

Getaway gelding. Dam, ran once in bumper, sister to bumper winner/fair hurdler (stays 21f) Benny In Milan.

Form:

He's My Shadow^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: R L Llewellyn

125/1

Placed in points and showed something to work on when third in a bumper at Exeter on Rules debut. Failed to repeat that effort at Chepstow, however.

Form: 5/533-37

Katopop³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: S Hosie

100/1

£36,000 3-y-o, Yeats gelding. Brother to bumper winner Don't Tell David. Dam, point winner, half-sister to useful hurdler/chaser (stayed 25f) Real Milan. Runner-up completed start in points, fell last time (Jan 1). Market for clues.

Form: 2F

King's Castle^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott

100/1

Fair performer on the Flat (stays 1¾m) but ran below that level sent hurdling when well held here 29 days ago.

Form: 7

Mikhailovich^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

100/1

Ran to a fair level when third at Chepstow only start in bumpers but has shown little both starts over hurdles.

Form: 3-P7

Nollyador^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss E C Lavelle

4/1

Well-made gelding who was progressive in bumpers. Better than result suggests on Aintree hurdles debut/reappearance on the back of a breathing op but proved a disappointment in a first-time tongue strap at Doncaster last time. Bit to prove now.

Form: 5323-56

Talimar Pearl³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: J Tizzard

33/1

Finished last when an even-money shot in his only point but has shaped better than the bare result both starts over hurdles and will be one to keep an eye on in handicaps after this run.

Form: 9-45

Urban Soldier⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls

28/1

Well held on his sole outing in bumpers but more like it sent hurdling when second of 7 in a C&D novice in November. Ran to only a similar level when fifth in a warmer race back here last time, though.

Form: 8-25

Forecasts

Holetown Hero (11/8), Bold Reaction (10/3), Future Investment (4/1), Nollyador (4/1), Urban Soldier (28/1), Bertie Wooster (33/1), Talimar Pearl (33/1), Mikhailovich (100/1), King's Castle (100/1), Katopop (100/1), He's My Shadow (125/1), Getaway Tothe Wood (250/1)

HOLETOWN HERO opened his account with something in hand here in December and looks up to defying a penalty back up in trip. Future Investment is fancied to provide the main threat if bouncing back to the form he showed on his penultimate start. Bold Reaction disappointed behind the selection last time but has had a breathing operation since.