12:54 Kelso

Saturday 28 October 2023

All12:5413:2914:0414:3915:1415:5416:2917:04

Just Add Tonic Events 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

Off time: 12:56 | Winning time: 4m 22.19s

Better Be Definite²¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander

100/1

Showed ability on the first of 2 starts in bumpers this winter but was well held on C&D hurdling debut in March. Has left Harriet Graham & Gary Rutherford and looks one for low-grade handicaps over longer trips.

Form: 507-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Blue Bear¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

80/1

Looks a work in progress.

Form: 6P-P8

Coniston George²¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| D

9/4

Ran to a high figure when second on debut at Haydock in December and didn't need to match that form to go one better at Ayr. Below expectations over C&D on final outing but possibly found the race coming too soon and remains a good hurdle prospect.

Form: 216-

Edgewell¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies

50/1

Modest in bumpers and shaped as if in need of the experience when well held on recent Hexham hurdle debut.

Form: 93-55

Flash Du Pistolet²⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd

2/1

€55,000 3-y-o, Westerner gelding. Half-brother to fairly useful hurdle winner/smart chase winner Molly The Dolly. Dam (h116) bumper winner, also 1¾m winner on Flat. Maiden Irish pointer, runner-up last time (Jan 22). Market for clues.

Form: 4F/32-

Indian Louis^t1¹⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| BFWS

11/1

Successful both completed starts in Irish points but did too much too soon in a C&D bumper on Rules debut back in May. Tongue tied for hurdle debut (also had breathing op) and ought to do better somewhere down the line.

Form: SP11-9

Lunar Chief²²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ruth Jefferson| D

5/1

Made a successful debut in 8-runner bumper at Newcastle (16.2f, heavy) in March, despite showing a tendency to flash his tail under the whip. Interesting hurdling debutant.

Form: 1-

Mrindependant^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 77

250/1

Little sign of ability.

Form: 0/6745-P

Tara Cove²¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

11/2

Kayf Tara gelding. Dam unraced half -sister to useful hurdler (stayed 3m) On Raglan Road and fairly useful hurdler (stayed 2½m) Overthetop. Multiple Irish point winner, including last 2 starts (latest Mar 26). Much respected Rules newcomer.

Form: P21211-

Valleyview Tommy¹⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson

9/1

€5,000 3-y-o, £15,000 4-y-o, Youmzain gelding. Half-brother to useful hurdler Ratfacemcdougall. Runner-up completed start in Irish points (May 7). Respected Rules debutant.

Form: FF2

Non-Runners

Prontoanita¹⁸⁷

Weight: 10-10| Age: 4

T: I Jardine J: Craig Nichol

Forecasts

Flash Du Pistolet (2/1), Coniston George (9/4), Lunar Chief (5/1), Tara Cove (11/2), Prontoanita (8/1), Valleyview Tommy (9/1), Indian Louis (11/1), Edgewell (50/1), Blue Bear (80/1), Better Be Definite (100/1), Mrindependant (250/1)

CONSISTON GEORGE was a shade disappointing on his final run in bumpers, but it possibly came too soon and he remains a good hurdle prospect who should be up to winning a race of this nature. Lunar Chief is another interesting newcomer to this sphere having made a successful bumper debut at Newcastle back in March, with multiple point winner Tara Cove also feared.