13:55 Catterick

Thursday 11 January 2024

All12:1012:4513:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Friends Of Kiplin Hall/EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 1.5s

Hasthing⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill

10/11

French bumper winner who made a very encouraging start for this yard last season, putting up a smart effort when third in Aintree Grade 2 bumper. Resumed with stylish hurdling debut success at Leicester and very much the one to beat. Bright prospect.

Form: 1/123-1

Here Comes Georgie²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Henry Brooke| T: P Neville| OR: 111

11/4

Fair hurdler who got off the mark in 10-runner novice at Carlisle (17f, soft) 25 days ago. Ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 4-5F921

Defence Witness⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| C

13/2

Won sole start in points before showing fairly useful form when landing 4-runner bumper here 48 days ago. Much respected now going over hurdles stepped up in trip.

Form: 1-1

Hemicycle⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: S Mulqueen| T: B Ellison

150/1

Maiden Irish pointer who was down the field in a novice hurdle at Wetherby on Rules debut. Makes little appeal.

Form: 5264-20

Imperial Rule^t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies

125/1

Placed in Irish points and hinted at promise in a first-time tongue strap when fifth of 8 in novice hurdle (50/1) at Sedgefield (19.8f, soft) 16 days ago. Needs another step forward.

Form: 4R-3395

Pic Roc²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling

4/1

Mount Nelson gelding who progressed with each start in bumpers before shaping well on his hurdling bow when fifth of 9 in novice at Newbury (20.5f, heavy, 40/1) 22 days ago. Can step forward and make his presence felt.

Form: 532-5

Ushuaia Dancer¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R T Dunne| T: Justin Landy

100/1

Made frame completed start in points but only modest form shown in 3 starts under Rules. Others appeal more.

Form: F/P4-0P5

Walk My Way¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Emma Smith-Chaston⁽³⁾| T: Micky Hammond

150/1

Failed to threaten between the flags and has offered little in two runs over hurdles this winter.

Form: 45P-4P6

Forecasts

Hasthing (10/11), Here Comes Georgie (11/4), Pic Roc (4/1), Defence Witness (13/2), Ushuaia Dancer (100/1), Imperial Rule (125/1), Walk My Way (150/1), Hemicycle (150/1)

HASTHING looked an exciting prospect when going in at the first time of asking over hurdles at Leicester and this smart bumper winner is fancied to defy a penalty here before moving up in grade. Pic Roc shaped well when fifth at Newbury on his debut in this sphere and is feared most, with newcomer Defence Witness appealing as the pick of the rest for minor honours.