14:45 Market Rasen

Saturday 30 September 2023

All14:1414:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Smokey Joe Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 4m 7.1s

Two Past Eight^v1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 113

10/3

Fair maiden on Flat who has made a bright start over hurdles, defying a penalty in good style to make it 2 from 3 in this sphere in a Fontwell Juvenile (17.7f) 3 weeks ago, staying on well. Concedes weight all round here but expected to feature again in a first-time visor.

Form: 121

Our Boy Wes^p³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-5| J: Donagh Meyler| T: E Mullins| D

9/4

Fair maiden on the Flat who justified market support to open his account at first attempt in a Juvenile maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe (16.6f) last month. Shade disappointing back on the level since but he certainly remains the type to do better in this sphere for shrewd Irish yard.

Form: 1

Max Of Stars²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 117| D

6/4

Has taken really well to hurdling, landing a third success from 5 starts in this sphere when making all in handicap company at Stratford (16.3f) 3 weeks ago. Entitled to find this tougher back against fellow 3-y-os but she's evidently thriving.

Form: 21121

Vitani²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-1| J: Lee Edwards| T: A West| OR: 102

12/1

Offered little on the Flat but she left her hurdles debut effort in her wake when successful at Stratford (16.3f) in July and put experience to good use to follow up at Uttoxeter later that month. Never figured in listed company in France latest though, and this a tough enough ask.

Form: 2117

Balboa³³

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris

16/1

Fair maiden on the Flat who ran below that level when third on hurdles bow at Cartmel (17.2f) 33 days ago. However, still early days and yard do well with their recruits in this sphere, so not one to be writing off.

Form: 3

Finn Russell^t1⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams

50/1

Fair maiden on the Flat who has been operating below his best in handful of starts upon joining present yard this summer. Likely best watched now attentions switch to this discipline. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form:

Ironopolis¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: R Menzies

20/1

Fair on Flat (stays 1½m) but possibly better on AW than turf. Likely needed initial experience when last of 3 in a Perth Juvenile hurdle (16.2f) 19 days ago but this rates an even tougher assignment.

Form: 3

Northern Rose²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: Chris Ward| T: G Hanmer

100/1

Glimmer of promise to glean from hurdles debut effort at Killarney (17f) in July but offered little either side on the level, including on debut for new yard at Southwell (11.1f) 24 days ago. Easy enough to look elsewhere returning to timber.

Form: 5

Forecasts

Max Of Stars (6/4), Our Boy Wes (9/4), Two Past Eight (10/3), Vitani (12/1), Balboa (16/1), Ironopolis (20/1), Finn Russell (50/1), Northern Rose (100/1)

OUR BOY WES was below his best on the Flat at the Cork 31 days ago, yet he'd previously impressed when making a winning hurdles debut at Ballinrobe in August and, with improvement anticipated in this sphere, he gets the nod to come out on top for his shrewd Irish stable. Max of Stars and Two Past Eight are both going the right way themselves over timber and can provide the lead threats.