13:02 Uttoxeter

Saturday 18 November 2023

All13:0213:3714:1214:4715:2215:57

Hobgoblin Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:02 | Winning time: 5m 32.46s

He Knows Better²²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: W GreatrexWS

5/2

Showed fairly useful form when placed on 2 of his 3 bumpers starts for Harry Whittington last season. Must enter calculations on hurdle/stable debut. Has had a breathing operation since last seen.

Form: 352-

Rock Danse¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien

4/1

Unplaced completed start in Irish points but hinted at better to come at some stage on his belated Rules debut at Chepstow 18 days ago.

Form: F7/8

Tara Cove²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr

16/1

Won 3 times from 7 outings in points but well below expectations in a Kelso maiden hurdle on Rules debut 3 weeks ago, possibly amiss. Up in trip.

Form: 21211-9

Willwekeephim^h⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Max Kendrick| T: J Coulson

50/1

Well held in 3 bumpers in Ireland for Peter John Flood and offered little sent hurdling in a first-time hood over C&D 41 days ago.

Form: P-5496

Pearl Island²⁰⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly

10/3

Bred to stay well and shaped in kind in pair of bumpers, running green and taking second close home at Ludlow (15.7f) in April. Longer trip sure to suit now hurdling back from 6 months off.

Form: 32-

Easy To Follow²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland

17/2

Runner-up on 3 of 4 starts in Irish points and shaped like a stayer switched to Rules when third in a Sedgefield bumper last month. Step up in trip will suit on hurdle debut.

Form: 2242-3

Saint Bibiana^t²¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Nicholls| C

10/3

Left previous form behind when landing a course bumper in December. Outclassed in Grade 2 at Aintree on completed start since but should have a future over hurdles for new yard (has left Kim Bailey).

Form: 526/1U0-

Non-Runners

Classic Lord²³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: Tim Vaughan J: Alan Johns

Forecasts

He Knows Better (5/2), Pearl Island (10/3), Saint Bibiana (10/3), Rock Danse (4/1), Classic Lord (5/1), Easy To Follow (17/2), Tara Cove (16/1), Willwekeephim (50/1)

PEARL ISLAND is sure to be suited by this longer trip having shaped like a stayer in a brace of bumpers last season, so he's an appealing candidate in what looks a winnable race. He Knows Better and Classic Lord are feared most.