12:45 Wincanton

Tuesday 12 December 2023

All12:4513:1513:4514:1514:4515:1515:45

Wincanton Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:48 | Winning time: 3m 53.33s

Afta Party^p,t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Theo Gillard| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 105

33/1

Fairly useful Flat winner for Alice Haynes and, having left Syd Hosie, left previous hurdling efforts behind when landing a novice at Newton Abbot in October. Has disappointed in a handicap at Plumpton since, though. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: F-74317

Lump Sum²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas

1/4

Looked above average in bumpers and made an impressive start to his hurdling career when winning a 2m novice at Ffos Las on the bridle. Looks capable of much better and hard to beat.

Form: 13-1

Aworkinprogress²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford

125/1

25/1, fifth of 8 in novice hurdle at Lingfield (2m, good to soft) on NH debut 21 days ago. More one for the longer term on that evidence.

Form: 64-5

Banteer³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls

9/1

Fairly useful in bumpers and he shaped quite well on the back of a wind op when fifth of 8 in novice hurdle (7/2) at Hereford (2½m, good) on hurdles bow 36 days ago. Potential improver now dropping in trip.

Form: 25-5

Benville Bridge⁶⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Best| T: Mrs F M Shaw

150/1

200/1, sixth of 12 in a course bumper on debut in March 2022 and not seen since. Can only be watched.

Form: 6/

Hobbs Joy²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: N P Mulholland

250/1

Stepped up on previous form when fair third of 5 in bumper at Catterick last November, but has offered little in 3 starts over timber this season.

Form: 643-889

Loverdose^h1¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford

100/1

Won over 2m on the Flat in France in spring 2022 but well beaten on recent Lingfield hurdle debut after a 19-month absence. Has a hood added now.

Form: 9

Mountain Pass¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham

12/1

Has shown a fair level of ability in maidens at Doncaster and Newbury in recent weeks and place claims in a race lacking depth.

Form: 555

Onethreefivenotout⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls

9/2

Made a winning bumper debut at Worcester in October 2021 but not seen again until pulled up on Chepstow hurdle debut 6 weeks ago. Could only consider if the betting suggests a good deal better is expected this time.

Form: 1/P

Plaisir Des Flos¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

66/1

Showed only modest form in bumpers for Thomas Gallagher and beaten a long way in 2 hurdles for new yard in recent weeks (although did hint at promise first occasion).

Form: 95-4658

Renegade Arrow¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland

125/1

Perth bumper winner in September 2021. Not seen again until well held in 2 hurdles at Chepstow last month. Another who could be more one for handicaps down the line.

Form: 31/05

Solstice Saint¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Godfrey⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball

250/1

Half-brother to 4 winners but hasn't shown enough in 2 bumpers and a novice hurdle to fancy his chances here.

Form: 500

Cams Girl

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: R L Llewellyn

150/1

Black Sam Bellamy filly. Dam lightly raced in bumpers/over hurdles, half-sister to useful hurdler/chaser (stayed 21f) Briery Queen. Likely a longer-term project.

Form:

Lady Balko¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Jack Tudor| T: D Pipe

100/1

Successful on her sole outing in Irish points in February but well beaten in 2 novice hurdles last month.

Form: 1-65

Theweddingcanwait^h,t⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: S Hosie

150/1

Placed in a pair of Worcester bumpers this summer (for Fergal O'Brien first occasion) but has yet to offer much over hurdles.

Form: 3-623P9

Non-Runners

Hour Star³¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: J Tizzard J: Brendan Powell

Time Theft³⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: N P Mulholland J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lump Sum (1/4), Onethreefivenotout (9/2), Banteer (9/1), Mountain Pass (12/1), Afta Party (33/1), Time Theft (50/1), Plaisir Des Flos (66/1), Hour Star (66/1), Lady Balko (100/1), Loverdose (100/1), Aworkinprogress (125/1), Renegade Arrow (125/1), Benville Bridge (150/1), Cams Girl (150/1), Theweddingcanwait (150/1), Solstice Saint (250/1), Hobbs Joy (250/1)

This looks an excellent opportunity for the promising LUMP SUM to follow up last month's Ffos Las hurdle debut success. Banteer can improve on his opening hurdle effort at Hereford and chase the selection home ahead of Mountain Pass in a race long on numbers but not depth.