16:10 Cheltenham

Friday 25 October 2024

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Alastair Down Press Room Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 4m 46.55s

Ailt An Chorrain⁶⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: P Neville

28/1

Failed to win in 4 point starts but caused a bit of a surprise when making a successful hurdles debut at Perth in August (2m) responding well. Step up in trip will suit but much more needed under a penalty.

Form: 7/2P2-1

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Kingston James²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| D

7/1

Successful on his completed start in points and made a winning start under Rules in a bumper at Ayr, making all and looking very professional. Sound effort under a penalty 2 months later and heavily backed, he landed the odds at Hexham 3 weeks ago. Up in trip and there's more to come.

Form: F/11-41

Minella Sixo¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott

2/1

£115,000 5-y-o, Shantou gelding. Brother to useful dual bumper winner Brechin Castle, and half-brother to fairly useful hurdler Wynn House, stays 3m. Won sole start in points and merely kept up to his work to remain unbeaten 5 months later at Fairyhouse 3 weeks ago. In the right hands to progress.

Form: 11

Potters Charm²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| D

6/5

£105,000 4-y-o, Valirann gelding. Finished runner-up only start in points and looked a fine prospect when winning 6-runner Ffos Las bumper (15.8f, heavy) in March. Well on top when landing the odds on hurdles debut a month ago and he's sure to leave bare form well behind.

Form: 21-1

Beaufort Breeze¹⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys

125/1

£9,000 5-y-o, first foal, dam unraced half-sister to useful hurdler (stays 25f) Three Card Brag. Won completed start in Irish points in May but this no easy introduction to hurdling.

Form: PF-1

Better Off Alone²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: M Keighley

50/1

€13,000 3-y-o, Ocovango gelding. Dam, unraced, closely related to fairly useful hurdler (stays 25f) Wonderwall. Runner-up on second of 2 starts in Irish points and given a considerate introduction to hurdling ay Worcester last month, finishing well behind Potters Charm.

Form: 6/2-4

First Confession³³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

8/1

Won sole start in Irish points in November and sold on for £140,000 soon after. Represents in-form yard ahead of Rules debut.

Form: 1-

Cloonainra³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Alex Harvey| T: J C McConnell

18/1

Made a winning start to her career under Rules in 13-runner maiden hurdle at Sligo (17.8f, soft). Made a few mistakes when third under a penalty at Downpatrick but she receives weight all round.

Form: F1-13

Forecasts

Potters Charm (6/5), Minella Sixo (2/1), Kingston James (7/1), First Confession (8/1), Cloonainra (18/1), Ailt An Chorrain (28/1), Better Off Alone (50/1), Beaufort Breeze (125/1)

POTTERS CHARM represents a yard in superb form and he's looked a fine prospect both starts under Rules, running out a stylish winner of a bumper in the spring before outclassing 9 rivals at Worcester a month ago. Sure to leave that bare form behind, he'll take some stopping, for all Minella Sixo is promising in his own right. Of the rest, six-figure point recruit First Confession merits consideration.