12:40 Wetherby

Friday 3 November 2023

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

bet365 Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

3YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 5f 56y | 16 Runners | Turf

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: O Signy| OR: 110

Lightly-raced maiden under NH rules. 11/1, good third of 14 in novice hurdle at Taunton (16.5f, good to soft). Type to do better for the longer trip and isn't without a chance on handicap/seasonal debut.

Form: 6/7033-

Presenting Nelly^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 108

Bumper winner who won mares' events at Worcester (maiden) and Newton Abbot (novice) last month. More on her plate now but in top hands and it wouldn't be a surprise to see her step up again.

Form: 96/3411

Firth Of Forth¹⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 106

Easily best effort in handicaps when runner-up at Kelso (22.5f, good to soft) when last seen in May. Certainly not without hope provided he's ready to roll.

Form: 22P/P6-2

Copshill Lad^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: M F Harris| OR: 106| BF

Yet to really build on the promise of his impressive bumper success but last couple of hurdling efforts have been more encouraging and there's scope for better.

Form: 3453-F3

Stratton Oakmont¹⁸⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 102| BF

Still winless but mark looks appealing and he's a dual winner in points since last seen under Rules 10 months ago, so worthy of interest if the market speaks in his favour on return.

Form: 641P12-

My Brother Jack^b³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 102

Modest Flat winner who has been consistent to this point over hurdles but doesn't appear to be ahead of his mark.

Form: 223-553

Liberty Flame¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd| OR: 100

First run since leaving Peter John Flood when pulled up in handicap hurdle (14/1) at Carlisle (17.2f, soft) 15 days ago, left behind early in straight. Up in trip. Bit to prove on the back of that effort.

Form: 35-763P

Carrigeen Castle²⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 100

Just poor form over hurdles in Ireland and has a 19-month absence to overcome on debut for new stable. Easy enough to oppose.

Form: 007/P14-

Bridget Breeze²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: G Boanas| OR: 99

From a good family and was the pick of the paddock before making a successful start in a Kelso bumper. Similar form in defeat next 2 starts and made an encouragement both hurdling outings. Looks potentially well in and worth a chance to make a successful return.

Form: 12732-

Geordies Dream⁵⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: Miss P Robson| OR: 96

No fluke about his 28/1 Kelso bumper success back in April and enhanced his form when runner-up under a penalty at Ayr. Yet to reach the same level over hurdles but mark is potentially lenient back from a 19-month absence.

Form: 12305/

Prince Nino^t,v1³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: Lizzie Quinlan| OR: 95

Bagged his second win of season at Perth (2m4f) in September. Below par in the mud there since so not discounted here with visor fitted.

Form: 3-31816

Reagrove Lord^t1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Jonathon Bewley| T: G Bewley| OR: 92

Placed in points in Ireland and mild encouragement over hurdles to date. Tongue tied for handicap debut, so improvement can't be ruled out.

Form: 42-3456

Annaharvey Lad²¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 92

Made the frame in 2 Irish points in spring 2021 and signs of encouragement over hurdles, not having a hard time when eighth in a novice at this course 7 months ago. Type to do better now handicapping.

Form: 43/478-

Mister Barclay²¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: David Noonan| T: T Symonds| OR: 91

No real impact in novices but showed a bit more switched to handicaps, third at Hereford 7 months ago. May yet do better.

Form: 8P663-

Night Jet²²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 88

Out of a mare who did well for the same connections and fair form in a couple of bumpers. She hasn't made much of an impact since switched to hurdles, though, and up against it after 7 months off.

Form: 65/68P4-

Smart Connection⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: James Best| T: M C Chapman| OR: 82

80/1, won 9-runner handicap hurdle at Cartmel (22.1f, soft) 67 days ago. Has a lot more on his plate now and is far from certain to back that up.

Form: R-64561

Forecasts

Presenting Nelly (10/3), Copshill Lad (13/2), Mister Barclay (7/1), Sea Village (8/1), Bridget Breeze (8/1), My Brother Jack (12/1), Firth Of Forth (12/1), Prince Nino (14/1), Carrigeen Castle (14/1), Annaharvey Lad (16/1), Stratton Oakmont (16/1), Smart Connection (20/1), Reagrove Lord (20/1), Geordies Dream (20/1), Liberty Flame (25/1), Night Jet (33/1)

BRIDGET BREEZE has shown some potential over hurdles and her bumper form gives her plenty of scope for better, so she's worth chancing to make a successful return. Presenting Nelly also has potential and Copshill Lad is another one for the shortlist.