12:27 Chepstow

Saturday 9 December 2023

All11:5512:2713:0213:3714:1214:4715:2015:50

Coral Racing Club Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:31 | Winning time: 6m 20.1s

Big City Roller⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon

9/2

Successful on the second of 2 starts in points and followed up sent hurdling at Carlisle (20f, soft) 44 days ago, tackled before last and finding extra. Shoulders a penalty but is open to improvement all the same.

Form: 41-1

Cloudy Flamingo^t1²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke| D

125/1

Winning pointer who was thrown in the deep end and nowhere near up to the task when pulled up in listed chase on his Rules bow at Cheltenham 3 weeks ago. Tries hurdling now.

Form: P1P4P-P

Drop Flight^h,t²²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: Noel Williams| OR: 115| BF

7/1

Fairly useful ex-French chaser who was placed on all 4 completed starts in hunter chases at the beginning of 2023. Reverts to hurdles on reappearance and first outing for Noel Williams.

Form: 8/322P2-

Hawaii Du Mestivel³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones| T: N P Mulholland

40/1

Third on only start in points but dropped away quite alarmingly at Plumpton on his belated Rules/hurdles bow 33 days ago. Can only be watched.

Form: U3/P

Paddy De Pole³⁰⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Buckley⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| D

3/1

Alkaadhem gelding. Dam, 1m winner who stayed 1¼m, half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/fair chaser (stays 31f) The Macon Lugnatic. Easily off mark in Irish points at sixth attempt in February and has joined a top yard.

Form: FUF541-

Sprucefrontiers³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

6/1

Last of 3 finishers sole start in Irish points but showed plenty to work on when fourth in 11-runner novice at Plumpton (20.5f) 33 days ago, finishing with running left. Open to improvement over this longer trip.

Form: 3/4

The Newest One²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Finn Lambert⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| D

11/8

Fairly useful maiden hurdler who ran a cracker from 2 lb out of the weights when runner-up in 15-runner handicap at Cheltenham (3m, heavy) 3 weeks ago, staying on well. Sets a clear standard.

Form: 5P223-2

Valens Bruyee^p1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis

200/1

Didn't shape at all badly when fourth of 7 in what was probably a decent bumper at Ffos Las in October but was well held sent hurdling at Aintree subsequently and headgear soon applied.

Form: 47

Easy On Me²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

150/1

Placed in points last year and was still in need of the experience when well held on his hurdling debut at Market Rasen last month.

Form: P2/0

Forecasts

The Newest One (11/8), Paddy De Pole (3/1), Big City Roller (9/2), Sprucefrontiers (6/1), Drop Flight (7/1), Hawaii Du Mestivel (40/1), Cloudy Flamingo (125/1), Easy On Me (150/1), Valens Bruyee (200/1)

THE NEWEST ONE is still a maiden over hurdles, but he returned better than ever when second in a competitive Cheltenham handicap 3 weeks ago and, with the timefigure supporting the performance, he's very hard to oppose. Sprucefrontiers shaped with promise on his debut in this sphere at Plumpton and could be the one to capitalise if the selection is below form. Paddy de Pole warrants respect also having joined Paul Nicholls following an easy point win.