12:40 Wincanton

Saturday 11 November 2023

All12:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:3216:10

EBF Stallions 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:42 | Winning time: 3m 44.20s

Ballee²⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White

17/2

Improved on his debut form for Gerald Stephen Quinn when second of 9 in bumper at Stratford (16.3f, soft). Off 8 months ahead of his hurdles debut but one to consider for his new yard.

Form: 52-

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Dancing In Brazil²⁰³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| BF

5/1

Half-brother to numerous winners and landed bumper at Huntingdon on NH debut. Respectable efforts all 3 starts since and he's in the mix on his first go in this sphere.

Form: 1343-

Ferret Jeeter¹⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball

150/1

10/1, encouraging debut seventh of 11 in novice hurdle at Fontwell (21.8f, good to soft) 6 months ago. In good hands and should progress on his return.

Form: 28-7

Hour Star²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

100/1

Fair form shown in bumpers but he raced very keenly when fifth of 10 in novice hurdle at Newton Abbot (16.8f, heavy) on hurdles bow 21 days ago. Should still do better.

Form: 29-5

Meatloaf²⁰⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| CD

10/11

Made a winning bumper start here in December and also posted an excellent second in listed bumper at Cheltenham. Signed off with another cosy success in bumper here and he rates a good prospect now hurdling. Yard has outstanding record in this too.

Form: 1251-

Mountain Bay³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins

250/1

Well held in pair of bumpers and fared little better when seventh of 11 in novice hurdle at Stratford (16.3f, good to soft) on hurdles bow 33 days ago.

Form: 97-7

Thirtyfour Thirty¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: S Hosie

50/1

Fairly useful bumper winner for Nigel Twiston-Davies in the summer. Last of 6 in novice hurdle (50/1) at Cheltenham (24f, soft) on hurdles bow 14 days ago though so he needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 2126

Walk On High^t³⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry

3/1

Progressive type who shaped well when fourth of 17 in novice hurdle (22/1) at Exeter (16.7f, soft) when last seen out 11 months ago. Holds good form claims if fully tuned up for his return.

Form: 40/74-

Lily Luna²⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott

8/1

Soldier of Fortune mare who has made an encouraging start in bumpers, fourth here and at Cheltenham in the spring. Can take a step forward now going hurdling.

Form: 44-

Non-Runners

Annie K²⁵⁴

Weight: 10-7| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: Bryony Le Clerc

Forecasts

Meatloaf (10/11), Walk On High (3/1), Dancing In Brazil (5/1), Lily Luna (8/1), Annie K (8/1), Ballee (17/2), Thirtyfour Thirty (50/1), Hour Star (100/1), Ferret Jeeter (150/1), Mountain Bay (250/1)

Paul Nicholls has farmed this event in recent seasons and looks to hold sway once more with his promising dual bumper scorer MEATLOAF. Stablemate Annie K also brings plenty of potential and rates the chief threat, although Walk On High has the form to play a part too if fully wound up after a lengthy absence.