13:50 Kempton

Monday 13 November 2023

All12:4513:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:00

Racing TV Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 16.21s

El Rio²²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

9/4

Winning Irish pointer and shaped well on his yard/hurdling debut in Chepstow maiden (19.4f) in February, in front and looking the winner when falling last. Gained compensation when making all at Ascot next time and he's expected to be bang there with progress to come.

Form: 70/1F1-

Billy Boi Blue^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: D Killahena & G McPherson

50/1

Fairly useful bumper winner for Fergal O'Brien last season but, after 9 months off, shaped as if in need of the experience when well-beaten fourth of 7 on stable/hurdling debut at Huntingdon 2 week ago. May be one for further down the line.

Form: 2/517-4

Monks Meadow²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle

13/2

Runner-up on his completed start in Irish points and some encouragement when second in C&D novice on his hurdling debut 22 days ago. Entitled to progress with that first experience under Rules behind him.

Form: F-222

Much Too Dear²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: L Horsfall| OR: 109

14/1

Has run to a fair level over hurdles so far, producing his best effort when runner-up in maiden at this C&D in May. After 6 months off, brought down at the first here 22 days ago, so he's worth another chance to build on his previous promise.

Form: 7536-2B

Rock Of The Nation^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

200/1

Bred to be useful but, having had a wind op and fitted with a tongue strap, offered little when seventh of 9 in novice hurdle at Hereford (16.2f) on debut 20 days ago. Needs to leave his first effort well behind as he goes up in trip.

Form: 7

Scoresby²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke

200/1

Point winner (dead-heated) in March, but well held in a couple of bumpers (for Christian Williams) last year and he showed little when pulled up in maiden at Exeter on his hurdles bow last month. Easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 67231-P

Thunder N Lightnin^t1⁵⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham

80/1

£21,000 3-y-o, £28,000 4-y-o, Alkaadhem gelding. Half-brother to 2 point winners. Dam ran twice over hurdles. Placed on both of his starts in points, runner-up on the latest occasion in April last year. Interesting on his first start under Rules (wears tongue strap).

Form: 32/

Defi Nonantais²⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

18/1

£20,000 3-y-o, Walzertakt gelding. Dam unraced. Finished third on his sole outing in Irish points in April. Has a fairly useful level to aim at on his hurdles debut.

Form: 3-

East India Express²⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| C

10/11

Brother to fairly useful hurdle/chase winner Surrey Quest and looked a good prospect when easily winning bumper at this course on debut in February. One to note as he goes over hurdles for his leading yard.

Form: 1-

Ghost Hunter²¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex

22/1

€35,000 3-y-o, £80,000 4-y-o, Milan gelding. Brother to 2 winners, including fairly useful chaser Jimmil, and closely related to fairly useful hurdler/useful chaser Wolf Shield. Runner-up on his only start in Irish points in April.

Form: 2-

Menaggio²³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

16/1

Showed ability amidst greenness when sixth of 19 in Goffs UK Spring Sales Bumper at Newbury on debut in March. Could take a step forward from that effort as he goes up in trip over hurdles.

Form: 6-

Annie Wicks³¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

200/1

Modest form in bumpers and failed to beat a rival on her only completed start over hurdles last season, though faced a stiff task when pulled up in listed event at Taunton in December. Still looks to be up against it.

Form: 39/3PP-

Mikhaila¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss E C LavelleWS

200/1

Made little impact on debut when well-beaten last of 6 in bumper at Plumpton in May. Major improvement required as she makes her first start over hurdles after 6 months off (has had a wind op).

Form: 6

Forecasts

East India Express (10/11), El Rio (9/4), Monks Meadow (13/2), Much Too Dear (14/1), Menaggio (16/1), Defi Nonantais (18/1), Ghost Hunter (22/1), Billy Boi Blue (50/1), Thunder N Lightnin (80/1), Rock Of The Nation (200/1), Annie Wicks (200/1), Mikhaila (200/1), Scoresby (200/1)

EL RIO built on the promise of his hurdling debut when making all at Ascot in April, possibly helped by the switch to a right-handed track, and he can score again with the step up in trip to suit. East India Express looked a useful prospect when winning his only start in bumpers and is respected, with Much Too Dear completing the shortlist.