14:30 Hereford

Wednesday 14 February 2024

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3217:07

Download The Vickers.Bet App Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 6m 35.55s

Ask Me Out^t1⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams

250/1

Pulled up in maiden/novice hurdles in November. Hard to make any sort of case for significantly upped in trip with a tongue tie applied.

Form: PP

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Golden De Coeur³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 116| BF

11/4

Fair but winless in bumpers (Ireland) but successful in a couple of points last year and probably should have opened his hurdle account at Sedgefield (19.8f) 33 days ago, edged out final 100 yds after bad mistake last. Every chance of gaining compensation upped in trip.

Form: 24-1232

Howaya Now³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 116| BF

7/2

Progressed again over hurdles when runner-up at Newbury (24.2f) on handicap debut in March last year. Looked set to fill the same position when falling 2 out at Warwick on his seasonal/chase debut in November and ran just respectably reverted to hurdling at Wincanton last month.

Form: 2532-F4

Illico De Cotte³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 118

10/11

Easy winner of sole outing in Irish points and has shaped well under Rules when runner-up in Lingfield and Wincanton maiden hurdles this winter. Every chance he can go one better.

Form: 1-2P2

Law Of Supply^t1⁹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M NichollsWS

9/1

Successful on last of 3 starts in Irish points. Very green but was definitely getting the idea late when fourth in a Chepstow bumper last April. Led until before 3 out on hurdling debut at Exeter (21.6f, soft) 3 months ago and could do better with a tongue tie applied (also had wind op).

Form: 44/14-5

Newtonian³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard| OR: 74

125/1

Remains a maiden after 17 runs but ran one of this season's better races retried in headgear when fourth over C&D (good to soft) last month. Wouldn't be sure to build on that, however.

Form: 65P2P4

Rockwiththetimes⁵⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

40/1

Got off mark in Irish points at second attempt but well held starting out under Rules in a Wincanton novice and Ascot maiden hurdle. Probably needs more time.

Form: P/1-7P

Ultra Beat⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly

14/1

Third sole start in Irish points and on bumper debut but pulled up on Chepstow hurdles debut (amiss) and only fifth in Bangor maiden last time. Needs a step forward.

Form: 33-P5

Valfortore²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ned Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams

200/1

Tailed off in bumper (quite prominent in the betting) and novice hurdle. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 69

Forecasts

Illico De Cotte (10/11), Golden De Coeur (11/4), Howaya Now (7/2), Law Of Supply (9/1), Ultra Beat (14/1), Rockwiththetimes (40/1), Newtonian (125/1), Valfortore (200/1), Ask Me Out (250/1)

Only a handful of these make serious appeal and it's ILLICO DE COTTE who gets the nod to come out on top having hit the crossbar in a couple of similar events this winter. Golden de Coeur, who should have won but for a late mistake at Sedgefield last month, looks the most obvious danger, with Howaya Now and Law of Supply taken to battle out third spot.