14:25 Southwell

Friday 2 February 2024

All13:2513:5514:2514:5515:2516:00

Off The Fence On youtube.com/attheraces Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 4m 10.4s

Act Of Authority⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Dylan Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy

1/3

Point winner who was runner-up in both bumpers last season. Two from three over hurdles, having loads in hand when landing the odds at Bangor a couple of months ago, and he's fancied to defy a double penalty for his thriving yard.

Form: 1/22-161

Tommie Gun²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 114| BF| CD

6/1

From a good jumping family and built on bumper promise to make a successful debut over hurdles in 13-runner novice event at Southwell in December. Only fourth at Leicester since but far from one to be writing off.

Form: 0-214

Arabescato¹⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: David England| T: O Murphy| D

66/1

Fairly useful handicapper on Flat (poor effort on latest start in that sphere). Made mistakes on sole hurdling outing but now makes first start for bang-in-form stable.

Form: 4-

Buzzbee

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J Kington| T: L Morgan

80/1

Black Sam Bellamy gelding. Dam (h131) bumper/19f-3m hurdle winner, also 1¾m winner who stayed 2m on Flat. Worth monitoring in the betting.

Form:

Diskatek^h1

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: Mrs M Rowley

18/1

€52,000 3-y-o, Maxios gelding. Half-brother to 6f-9f winner abroad Dormio. Dam, 1m/9f winner in Germany, half-sister to fairly useful 2¼m hurdle winner in France Diplomat. Wears hood.

Form:

Express Surprise⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: C Boultbee-Brooks

28/1

Runner-up sole outing in Irish points (Feb 26) and not disgraced when fifth of 13 in a bumper at Newbury on Rules debut. Likely to be brought along gradually in this sphere, though.

Form: 2-5

Haafback^h,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: James Best| T: Mrs E Bishop

300/1

Offered little in a pair of bumpers early in 2022 and pulled up in novice at Wincanton on hurdling debut, so hard to imagine he'll make much of an impact.

Form: 99/P

Ill Reef^h1²⁸²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: A Stronge

100/1

Fairly useful form in bumpers. Won at Le Lion-d'Angers (by 8 lengths from Iron Sacre) in 2022/23. Only 26 lengths sixth of 7 to Jaguar du Large at Durtal last time. Has left Nick Littmoden ahead of this hurdling bow (also hooded).

Form: 0-

Pic The Power⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: K Brogan| T: L Morgan

200/1

Dropped away tamely when last of 8 in a Fakenham bumper 81 days ago. Can only be watched now switching to hurdles.

Form: 8

Pillar Rock⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton

66/1

Half-brother to 3 winners, including fairly useful hurdler Monviel and French hurdler Wealth. Down the field in a Newbury bumper but given an 85-day break ahead of this hurdling debut.

Form: 0

Teorie^p³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 117| BF| D

10/3

Fairly useful winner on the Flat in Ireland for Jim Bolger. Overcame some sloppy jumps to run out a ready winner on his recent Catterick hurdle debut in December. Disappointed next time but back under a fully-fledged jockey now.

Form: 14

Forecasts

Act Of Authority (1/3), Teorie (10/3), Tommie Gun (6/1), Diskatek (18/1), Express Surprise (28/1), Arabescato (66/1), Pillar Rock (66/1), Buzzbee (80/1), Ill Reef (100/1), Pic The Power (200/1), Haafback (300/1)

ACT OF AUTHORITY, an expensive point recruit, has looked a good prospect so far over hurdles and he can take his tally to three in this sphere at the likely expense of Teorie, who should benefit from the return of Paddy Brennan. Tommie Gun is considered, too.