13:53 Warwick

Thursday 3 October 2024

All13:2313:5314:2314:5515:3016:0516:35

racingtv.com 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 2)

Off time: 13:54 | Winning time: 3m 49.6s

Diamond Geezer³¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

11/2

Produced a promising first effort when neck second of 7 in bumper at Sedgefield (16.8f, heavy) 10 months ago, the winner's experience edge probably crucial. Not seen since but merits consideration on hurdling debut for his top yard.

Form: 2-

Entity Of Substanz²²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Skelton

7/1

Boasts an appealing pedigree and ran with promise when seventh of 16 in maiden hurdle at Newbury (16.3f, soft) in January. Never dangerous when well beaten in similar event at Doncaster (19.4f, heavy) a month later and seemingly being brought along with staying handicaps in mind.

Form: 75-

Just Four Fame⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: David Dennis

100/1

Third in an Aintree bumper in May 2022 then not seen again until last of 5 in maiden hurdle at Wincanton in February. Showed a bit 7 months on (benefited from being well positioned early) when fourth of 6 in novice hurdle at this C&D (good) 9 days ago but others look stronger.

Form: 223/5-4

Just Gino^h1¹⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| BFWS

10/1

Bought for £100,000 after winning sole start in Irish points in March and shaped as if better for the run on his hurdle/Rules debut at Bangor last December, racing freely. Ran to a similar level 5 months on at Southwell back in May and now a first-time hood is applied (also had a wind op).

Form: 1/5-5

Rockvale¹⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Alan Johns| T: S Allwood

200/1

€15,000 3-y-o, El Salvador gelding. Half-brother to fairly useful chaser Ingenious Stroke and 2½m chase winner Fit For Fifty. Dam (h86), maiden hurdler, half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/chaser (2m-3m winner) World Wide Web. Placed all 3 starts in Irish points (latest Mar 31).

Form: 233-

Strong Foundations¹⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| BF

9/2

Runner-up sole start in Irish points. Promising first effort under Rules when fourth of 15 at Cheltenham last October but failed to build on that on both subsequent outings. Makes hurdles bow after 6 months off and betting should be a useful guide to expectations.

Form: 2/454-

Sunray Shadow¹⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| CD

2/1

Blue Bresil gelding who looked a good prospect as he made a winning start to his career in 6-runner bumper at this C&D (good) back in May, looking clueless once hitting the front having gone powerfully but knuckling down just in time. Obvious claims now hurdling for his top yard.

Form: 1

Don Virginia³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 107

7/2

Runner-up on his sole start in junior hurdles last season and showed promise again 6 months on when third of 11 in maiden hurdle at Worcester (16f, good) last month. Could kick on with that recent outing under his belt.

Form: 2-3

Gillespie Road²⁰¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams

66/1

€14,000 3-y-o, £46,000 4-y-o, El Salvador gelding. Dam unraced. Successful sole outing in Irish points (Mar 16).

Form: 1-

Heather Honey³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

80/1

Not much promise in her debut fourth in bumper at Wetherby in January but showed a bit more despite not being seen to best effect when fifth of 9 at Worcester (16f, good) just over 5 weeks ago. Makes her hurdles bow but she looks one for later (stayer in the making).

Form: 4-5

Ballyhiho¹⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Hogan⁽³⁾| T: D J Jeffreys

100/1

€26,000 3-y-o, £20,000 4-y-o, Jukebox Jury filly. Dam unraced sister to bumper winner/fairly useful hurdler (2½m winner) Jeremys Jewel. Placed on 2 of 4 starts in Irish points, including latest (May 12).

Form: 2P7-2

Non-Runners

Ronnies Rules³⁷

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: D Skelton J: Mr Ben Sutton

Forecasts

Sunray Shadow (2/1), Ronnies Rules (11/4), Don Virginia (7/2), Strong Foundations (9/2), Diamond Geezer (11/2), Entity Of Substanz (7/1), Just Gino (10/1), Gillespie Road (66/1), Heather Honey (80/1), Just Four Fame (100/1), Ballyhiho (100/1), Rockvale (200/1)

Dan Skelton looks to hold the aces in this second division with SUNRAY SHADOW selected to make a winning start over obstacles having overcome inexperience to land a C&D bumper back in the spring. Seemingly the choice of Harry Skelton, he can get the better of stablemate Ronnies Rules, who bagged a hat-trick in bumpers at Stratford over the summer. Diamond Geezer, who hasn't been seen since his debut 10 months ago, can edge out Don Virginia for third.