13:00 Kempton

Monday 25 November 2024

All12:3013:0013:3014:0014:3515:1015:45

EBF Stallions 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 3m 57.45s

Miami Magic²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| D

6/5

Point winner from a good family who has made a promising start under Rules, finishing second in an Aintree bumper in May and going one better in 2m Fakenham maiden hurdle 5 months later. More to come and the one to beat.

Form: 4/441-21

George's Lad³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle

40/1

Held every chance when falling at the last in a point in April. 18/1, showed potential when fifth of 11 on 18.5f Exeter hurdle and stable debut 5 weeks ago. Capable of better under Cobden.

Form: F-5

Groovy Blue¹⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling

15/2

Well held in a Newbury bumper for Emma Lavelle last November but a different proposition for new stable when winning a similar race at Fontwell in May. Should be up to making his presence felt in a race like this now hurdling.

Form: 8-1

Guinness Lad^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland

200/1

Well held in bumper and 2 novice hurdles. More one for handicaps after this.

Form: 756

Kapal Layar³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

18/1

5/1, promise when third of 7 in a Carlisle bumper last month. Connections waste no time switching him to hurdles and he's bred to do well in this sphere.

Form: 3

Marengo Bay

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

5/1

€58,000 3-y-o who is a half-brother to useful hurdler Finest Evermore (2½m-2¾m winner). With a leading stable and would firmly enter the reckoning should the betting vibes be strong.

Form:

Now I Know^t²⁰⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: C GordonWS

150/1

Well held in 2 bumpers in the spring. Has had wind surgery ahead of this hurdle debut after 6 months off.

Form: 0-8

Salt Rock^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

12/1

Cost £205,000 after winning his only point in March 2022. Has had a light career under Rules since but has shown promise and there are bigger performances in him soon.

Form: 18/3-5

Tarbuck²²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Miss C Dyson

125/1

Much better effort in bumpers when second at Taunton in April, albeit no match for the winner. Off 7 months. Makes hurdles debut. Engaged 12.15 Uttoxeter Sunday.

Form: 42-

Thistle Be The One²¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Kieran Burke| CD

3/1

Failed to beat a rival both starts in points but proved a different proposition when landing a 9-runner course bumper in February. Backed that up when second in what is often a decent bumper at the Ayr Scottish Grade National meeting. Decent hurdle prospect.

Form: 4/312-

Beorma¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

150/1

Just modest form at best in bumpers for Thomas Gallagher this term and might be more one for handicaps in this sphere based on his opening attempt at Carlisle a fortnight ago.

Form: 7305

Forecasts

Miami Magic (6/5), Thistle Be The One (3/1), Marengo Bay (5/1), Groovy Blue (15/2), Salt Rock (12/1), Kapal Layar (18/1), George's Lad (40/1), Tarbuck (125/1), Beorma (150/1), Now I Know (150/1), Guinness Lad (200/1)

MIAMI MAGIC looked potentially useful when scoring easily on his Fakenham hurdle debut and is taken to defy the penalty. Bumper-winners Thistle Be The One and Groovy Blue should have bright futures over hurdles, while Nicky Henderson newcomer Marengo Bay would also enter the reckoning should the betting suggest he's fancied.