15:00 Kempton

Saturday 24 February 2024

All13:1513:5014:2715:0015:3716:1016:45

Coral Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 50.60s

Panjari^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127| D

11/2

Useful on Flat in Germany and has been quick in getting the hang of hurdling, cheekpieces fitted when readily landing 6-runner novice at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft) 20 days ago. This is tougher but he's in excellent hands and can't be discounted.

Form: 521371

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Fiercely Proud²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 129| D

5/2

Dual bumper winner who looked a useful prospect when making it 2 from 2 over hurdles at Taunton in December. Very good third of 5 in Rossington Main at Doncaster (16.6f, good) 28 days ago. Not taken lightly for his in-form handler.

Form: 100-113

Helnwein⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 121| D

8/1

Useful bumper winner who made a successful switch to hurdling at Warwick before posting an excellent second of 3 in listed hurdle at Sandown (16f, heavy) 77 days ago. This demands more but he's open to further improvement.

Form: 3/513-12

Idy Wood³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 126| D

12/1

Bumper winner who looked right back on song when readily doubling his hurdles tally in 2m4f novice at Plumpton 33 days ago. Holds solid form claims.

Form: 21-1321

Lump Sum²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 130| D

13/8

Impressive when making it 2-2 over hurdles in 2m Wincanton novice and took his form up another level when runner-up in Rossington Main at Doncaster (16.6f, good) 28 days ago, deserving extra credit given he was not ideally placed. The one to beat with more still to offer.

Form: 13-112

Williethebuilder⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 124| D

11/1

Looked a good prospect when making a winning start over hurdles for new yard at Uttoxeter (2m) in September before running well in better company at Cheltenham next 2 outings. Disappointed at Musselburgh on most recent start but sort to bounce back.

Form: 52-1450

Non-Runners

Fasol³²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 5

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Secret Squirrel¹⁸

Weight: 11-5| Age: 5

T: H Morrison J: J J Burke

Forecasts

Lump Sum (13/8), Fiercely Proud (5/2), Secret Squirrel (5/1), Panjari (11/2), Helnwein (8/1), Williethebuilder (11/1), Idy Wood (12/1), Fasol (33/1)

None of these can be ruled out but LUMP SUM has improved a chunk with each of his three hurdling runs and is taken to quickly resume winning ways on the back of an excellent second in Doncaster's Rossington Main. Ben Pauling's Fiercely Proud came in a place behind Sam Thomas' improver that day and rates the main threat, although the likes of Panjari, Idy Wood and Secret Squirrel need factoring into this cracking Grade 2 too.