15:02 Kelso

Friday 29 December 2023

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:2815:0215:32

Racing TV Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:03 | Winning time: 4m 28.81s

Ballyfort^h1⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Bruce Lynn⁽³⁾| T: N W Alexander

11/4

£30,000 buy from the Irish pointing field who offered something to work on when fifth of 9 in 2m Ayr novice hurdle 55 days ago, albeit he looked a bit tricky (pulled hard and hung left). Hood goes on now.

Form: 3F423-5

Boot 'n' Shoe⁶⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies

33/1

Reached the frame in a couple of AW bumpers at Newcastle in early 2022 but hasn't been seen since. Betting perhaps the best guide to expectations now hurdling.

Form: 24/

Dream Boy¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd

5/1

Successful on last of 3 starts in Irish points and fair form when fourth in a Hexham bumper and 2m Ayr novice hurdle on first 2 outings for this yard. Need to forgive a lesser run back at Ayr since.

Form: 5/P1-445

Foshan^p¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: A Nicol

200/1

Modest maiden handicapper on Flat (stays 11.5f), below form final 3 starts in 2023. Best watched now hurdling.

Form:

Isholo Du Vivien²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

20/1

Point winner. Weakened to finish last of 4 on Bangor bumper debut at the beginning of the month but still no surprise were he up to making his presence felt in a race like this now hurdling.

Form: P2-F14

Master Bricklayer¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N W Alexander

125/1

Well held in a course bumper and Ayr novice hurdle 8 months apart. Probably more one for the longer term.

Form: 8-0

Northern Cardinal⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

40/1

Third in a course bumper in April but not in the same form when down the field in another bumper here 7 months later. Walk On Quest likely the stable first string.

Form: 3-9

Walk On Quest^t1²⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V RussellWS

11/10

£100,000 buy after finishing runner-up in an Irish point in March. Has had a breathing operation ahead of this Rules debut. Also fitted with a tongue strap. Likely type.

Form: 2-

Wolfburg⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson

11/2

Much better effort in bumpers 6 months apart (had breathing operation in between) when third of 12 at Carlisle 54 days ago. That form has been boosted and he sets out over hurdles in a winnable race.

Form: 03

Non-Runners

Breizh River⁴³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: Paul Robson J: Craig Nichol

Dapper Gent⁴⁴⁷

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: M A Barnes J: Conor Rabbitt

Flying Sandpiper⁴⁸

Weight: 11-4| Age: 4

T: Mrs J Stephen J: Jamie Hamilton

Hazy Glen¹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 4

T: M & D Easterby J: Henry Brooke

Miss Arabella³¹

Weight: 10-11| Age: 5

T: A M Thomson J: G Sheehan

Forecasts

Walk On Quest (11/10), Ballyfort (11/4), Hazy Glen (7/2), Dream Boy (5/1), Wolfburg (11/2), Miss Arabella (10/1), Isholo Du Vivien (20/1), Breizh River (25/1), Boot 'n' Shoe (33/1), Northern Cardinal (40/1), Flying Sandpiper (66/1), Dapper Gent (100/1), Master Bricklayer (125/1), Foshan (200/1)

The suggestion is Lucinda Russell Irish point recruit WALK ON QUEST, with confidence in his chance increased should the betting vibes be strong. Wolfburg looks an interesting alternative having shown plenty in a Carlisle bumper on his return.