16:00 Wincanton

Wednesday 27 March 2024

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3517:05

Blackmore Vale Hurdle 1867 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 3m 56.3s

Admiral Fitz^h²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Benjamin Poste| T: H Dickin

125/1

6-y-o who is bred more for the Flat but finished runner-up on completed start in points (April 2023). However, easy to back and never figured when fourth of 5 on C&D hurdles debut 4 weeks ago. Hood worn then retained here.

Form: F2-4

Denemethy^t1⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'BrienWS

9/2

Irish point winner who was strong in betting and produced a promising first effort under Rules when second in a Carlisle bumper in November. Entitled to come on for his hurdles debut effort at Chepstow in January and return to a right-handed track may also help. Tongue strap on/had wind op.

Form: F421-27

Goonhilly^p1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 112

4/9

Fairly useful form in pair of bumpers and done enough to think a race of this nature is within his grasp, second in a C&D maiden before a respectable sixth in Imperial Cup at Sandown 18 days ago. Big player back in maiden company with cheekpieces now enlisted.

Form: 3F2526

Rangatira Jack³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Miss L Blackford| OR: 105

9/1

Well held in 2 bumpers last spring but he did surpass his previous hurdles exploits when 9 lengths fourth of 12 in a C&D maiden last month, under a more positive ride. Can get involved with a repeat.

Form: 80-594

Snapdance⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford

50/1

Dragon Dancer gelding who didn't offer much in a couple of starts in bumpers and he'll need to settle better now his attentions switch to timber.

Form: 66

Barley Gin¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland

150/1

No short-term promise in a bumper/pair of novice hurdle runs so far this term.

Form: 0P9

Bollywollywotsit²⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: Ella Pickard

200/1

Big prices and no promise to glean from pair of hurdle runs last summer. Easy enough to look elsewhere on return to action.

Form: P8

Golden Millie¹⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: James Best| T: Simon Earle

10/1

Fair bumper winner last season who offered something to work on starting out over hurdles when fifth in mares' novice company at Lingfield (2m) back in December. Likely she can do better again in this sphere as she gains experience.

Form: 0165-5

Maryollie³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Bryan Carver| T: C J Down

16/1

£45,000 5-y-o, Jukebox Jury mare. Half-sister to 4 winners, including fairly useful hurdler Mr Glass, stays 3m, and bumper winner/fairly useful hurdler Sunrise Ruby. Successful on second of 2 starts in Irish points (easily beating only other finisher, Feb 18). Market should guide on hurdles bow.

Form: 41

Gold For Alec³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: H Cobden| T: T Symonds

16/1

Showed some promise in 2 bumpers and similar story when fourth in 4-y-o hurdle on debut in this sphere at Hereford (16.2f) 31 days ago. Feasible to think he can build on that and gets weight all round.

Form: 544

Forecasts

Goonhilly (4/9), Denemethy (9/2), Rangatira Jack (9/1), Golden Millie (10/1), Gold For Alec (16/1), Maryollie (16/1), Snapdance (50/1), Admiral Fitz (125/1), Barley Gin (150/1), Bollywollywotsit (200/1)

GOONHILLY was far from disgraced when sixth in the Imperial Cup at Sandown earlier this month and this looks a good opportunity for Dan Skelton's 6-y-o to get off the mark returned to calmer waters with cheekpieces enlisted. Denemethy and Golden Millie are others to consider, with Rules newcomer Maryollie one to monitor in the betting for clues.