14:20 Ludlow

Thursday 26 October 2023

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1117:1217:41

Tom Calvert Memorial Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 3m 54.5s

Ballyrashane¹⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams

250/1

Off the mark at the fifth time of asking in Irish points in November but he hasn't shown much in 3 starts under Rules to date. Probably more one for handicaps later on.

Form: 2316P7-

Bitsnbuckles¹⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Lewis Stones⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy

12/1

Runner-up in a point before coming in eighth of 15 in bumper at Tipperary (18f, heavy, 9/1) 175 days ago. Makes hurdles debut and needs considering for his new yard.

Form: 4542-8

Classic Lord²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 121

12/1

Useful on Flat and fourth in a maiden hurdle at Naas in February. Not in same form at Fairyhouse on final outing and subsequently sold out of Henry de Bromhead's yard for £29,000. Can build on his yard debut when seventh at Worcester 27 days ago so one to consider.

Form: 440-7

Damarta^h²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

5/1

Carried over his headstrong tendencies from bumpers but still caught the eye when just failing to snatch third on hurdling debut here (16.8f) in May. Still in need of the experience when fifth on his recent return at Newton Abbot and remains with potential. Player.

Form: 43-45

Dusautior¹⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

11/2

Jeu St Eloi gelding. Dam, lightly raced over hurdles in France, half-sister to fairly useful chaser (winner up to 25f) Royal Palladium. Winning Irish pointer who can't be discounted now going hurdling for his new yard.

Form: 133-

Gentle Victor¹⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: William Shanahan⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

200/1

50/1, seventh of 11 in bumper at Newcastle (16.9f, good) on NH debut 163 days ago. Needs to step forward on his hurdles debut.

Form: 7

I Got Stung¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

33/1

Off 6 months before fading fifth of 6 in novice hurdle at Worcester (16f, soft, 10/1) 14 days ago. Can build on it now.

Form: 65-5

My Monty^t²⁰⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ned Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: S Drinkwater

100/1

Showed a bit more than previously in a first-time tongue strap when fourth of 9 at Stratford (16.3f, heavy) on final outing in bumpers. Off 6 months and needs to improve on hurdle debut.

Form: 8/04-

Deadlock¹⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph

28/1

Fair form on Flat but he came in last of 4 in novice hurdle at Aintree (20f, good, 28/1) on NH debut 160 days ago. Down in trip with a big step forward required.

Form: 4

Larkin^h1,t³⁹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr Huw Edwards⁽⁷⁾| T: R Bevis

250/1

Fair handicapper on Flat who won at Ffos Las in August. Bought from Tom Dascombe's yard for 5,500 gns after coming in last at Wolverhampton in October. Goes hurdling now with a bit to prove.

Form:

Norman Fletcher⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| BF| CD

7/4

Made it 2 wins from 4 starts in bumpers with an improved effort at Ludlow in April. 1/4, close up when fell 3 out in novice at Huntingdon (15.8f, good) on hurdles bow 9 days ago. Should have more to offer.

Form: 2181-F

Lady Caro¹⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle

10/1

Fair form shown in three bumpers, sixth of 11 at Fakenham (16f, soft) 6 months ago. Not ruled out on her hurdles debut.

Form: 046-

I Look How I Look¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton

80/1

Sister to useful hurdler/high-class chaser Nube Negra but only modest form shown thus far in bumpers at Stratford and Ludlow. Could do better with the benefit of experience though.

Form: 54

Mo Zola²⁰¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Lee Edwards| T: B Clarke| D

125/1

Clovis Du Berlais filly. Dam, fair bumper winner/maiden hurdler (stayed 23f), half-sister to fairly useful 3m chase winner Susie Sheep. Won sole start in point bumpers (April 8) so possibilities on her hurdling bow.

Form: 1-

Wyenot¹⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly

11/2

Closely related to useful chaser Everlastingpromise and she shaped well when third of 11 in bumper at Southwell (15.8f, soft) on NH debut. Off 6 months and in the mix on her hurdles debut.

Form: 3-

Non-Runners

Grain Trade²¹⁵

Weight: 11-1| Age: 4

T: Billy Aprahamian J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Norman Fletcher (7/4), Damarta (5/1), Wyenot (11/2), Dusautior (11/2), Lady Caro (10/1), Classic Lord (12/1), Bitsnbuckles (12/1), Deadlock (28/1), I Got Stung (33/1), Grain Trade (50/1), I Look How I Look (80/1), My Monty (100/1), Mo Zola (125/1), Gentle Victor (200/1), Ballyrashane (250/1), Larkin (250/1)

DAMARTA is fancied to take a step forward from his reappearance Newton Abbot fifth when still looking in need of the experience and get off the mark in an open maiden hurdle. Winning Irish pointer Dusautior brings potential and is next on the list on his hurdling debut, although a case can also be made for Norman Fletcher, Classic Lord and I Look How I Look in a competitive event.