13:50 Newbury

Wednesday 18 December 2024

All12:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:0015:35

Visit Warren Greatrex Racing At Rhonehurst EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 31.00s

Buckna²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: W Greatrex| BF

11/8

Changed hands for £350,000 after winning sole start in Irish points and shaped well when runner-up on Rules debut in a Ffos Las novice (15.8f, heavy), for all that he was unable to justify short odds. Likely to be seen in a better light here with that run under his belt and this stiffer test a plus.

Form: 1-2

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Captain Bellamy⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls

7/2

Easy winner of sole start in points and similar story on Rules debut in a Chepstow bumper last term. No match for Skyjack Hijack on return/hurdles bow following a wind op at Exeter (21.6f, good) but that rival was completing the fifth leg of a six-timer, so he was hardly disgraced. Should improve.

Form: 1/103-2

De Kingpin²⁰

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

13/2

Well-bred 5-y-o who was picked up for £70,000 after finishing runner-up on second run in Irish points. Encouragement in a bumper and maiden hurdle on first 2 starts under Rules and while he was a shade disappointing at Lingfield (2m, good to soft), this step up in trip could be just what he needs.

Form: 6/22-35

Diagon Alley^t1³²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: Anthony Charlton

66/1

Cost £140,000 after finishing second in an Irish point but made no impact in a bumper/maiden hurdle last winter. Tongue strap added and sizeable step forward needed here following 10 months off.

Form: 24P-

Isle Of Gold⁴³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

25/1

Runner-up sole start between the flags and bettered low-key Rules debut when fourth of 9 in a Chepstow maiden upped to 23.6f in March 2023. However, absent since unseating rider at Worcester 14 months ago and, in any case, he's probably more one for handicaps in due course.

Form: 294/U-

Marengo Bay²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Paul O'Brien| T: N J Henderson

40/1

€58,000 3-y-o who is a half-brother to useful hurdler Finest Evermore (2½m-2¾m winner). Never in the hunt when sent off at 5/1 for a 2m Kempton novice last month and while he can be expected to leave that form well behind in time, Nico de Boinville prefers Nativehill.

Form: 7

Nativehill⁶²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

9/4

Half-brother to numerous winners, including smart hurdler/top-class chaser Bellshill (winner up to 25f) and useful hurdler Chieftain's Choice. Changed hands for £260,000 after winning the second of his 2 starts between the flags and he is a likely-looking type on this Rules debut for top yard.

Form: 61/

Roxhill¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins

200/1

No great shakes in a couple of points and efforts in this sphere to date have been underwhelming.

Form: 3/8-47

Forecasts

Buckna (11/8), Nativehill (9/4), Captain Bellamy (7/2), De Kingpin (13/2), Isle Of Gold (25/1), Marengo Bay (40/1), Diagon Alley (66/1), Roxhill (200/1)

It will be an ominous sign for his rivals if NATIVEHILL is strong in the betting ahead of this Rules debut. The 6-y-o was last seen winning a maiden point in April 2023 but he's unlikely to be found wanting fitness-wise and is certainly bred for the job. Fellow point winner Buckna made a positive start in this sphere at Ffos Las and, with the promise of better to come now upped in trip, he looks a big threat. Captain Bellamy is also open to improvement and merits respect, too.