14:25 Warwick

Sunday 10 March 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Country Shows Agility Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 24.23s

Tactical Affair⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: W Greatrex| OR: 127| D

9/4

Promise in bumpers and stepped up again to make a successful debut in this sphere at Cork (2m) in November. Improved again when third of 6 in minor event hurdle at Punchestown and that sets the clear standard, though he was disappointing final run for Gordon Elliott.

Form: 5-3134

Absolutely Fine⁸

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

80/1

£37,000 3-y-o, Pillar Coral gelding. Bred to stay well and shaped in kind when seventh of 12 in bumper at Huntingdon (15.8f) plugging on. Upped in trip for hurdles debut but he was never a factor.

Form: 76

Horsesomeharry

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

25/1

Third foal, dam (h105), placed over hurdles (stayed 3m), half-sister to Tambura (stays 3¼m) and Theos Well (2m winner), both bumper winners/fairly useful hurdlers.

Form:

Illico De Montave²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson

12/1

Unplaced in sole point but displayed some ability in 2 bumpers for Tom Weston before Christmas and did likewise on last month's hurdles debut.

Form: 7-054

King Of Tara⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| BF

5/4

€85,000 son Kayf Tara gelding who has finished placed all 3 starts in bumpers, collared late on at Hereford in January. Has to be of major interest now hurdling.

Form: 223

Lucky Lugger^t1¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard

300/1

Little show in various company.

Form: 05/PP-PP

Pillar Rock³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Skelton

66/1

Half-brother to 3 winners, including fairly useful hurdler Monviel and French hurdler Wealth. Looks a long-term project.

Form: 07

Platenium²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling

14/1

Showed a bit on his debut in a Huntingdon bumper in May and left opening effort over hurdles behind when eighth at Newbury last month.

Form: 7908

The Northernlights⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: G Nicholls

8/1

Runner-up in a point bumper and there was some encouragement when fifth in a bumper at Cheltenham in October. Effort flattened out at Doncaster and he now goes hurdling.

Form: 259

Westbrook Lad^h⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Alex Edwards| T: Mrs M Rowley

80/1

Displayed more temperament than ability so far.

Form: 75P

Bella Cavalla¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland

250/1

Milan mare who failed to show much both starts.

Form: 80

Cher Tara⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton

15/2

Kayf Tara filly. Dam (h97), maiden hurdler, half-sister to fair chaser (stayed 3m) Book of Gold. Big price on debut and merely hinted at ability.

Form: 7

Tooting¹²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Miss Thomosina Eyston⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland

250/1

Out of a winning hurdler but no promise so far.

Form: 80

Non-Runners

Doyen Quest¹⁹

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

King Of Tara (5/4), Tactical Affair (9/4), Doyen Quest (3/1), Cher Tara (15/2), The Northernlights (8/1), Illico De Montave (12/1), Platenium (14/1), Horsesomeharry (25/1), Pillar Rock (66/1), Absolutely Fine (80/1), Westbrook Lad (80/1), Bella Cavalla (250/1), Tooting (250/1), Lucky Lugger (300/1)

KING OF TARA laid a very solid platform for hurdling with a trio of placed efforts in bumpers and, sure to be well prepared for this, he looks the way to go. Tactical Affair is a massive threat on the pick on his Irish form, with Doyen Quest another penalised runner to consider.