13:00 Kempton

Saturday 11 January 2025

All12:2513:0013:3514:1014:4215:1815:55

Coral 'Daily Rewards Shaker' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 3 | 2m | 13 Runners | Turf

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| D

Useful bumper scorer in 2022 who made light of a two-year absence when easily landing the odds in 2m novice at Uttoxeter on his hurdles bow 32 days ago. Has plenty of scope to improve. Most interesting.

Form: 21/1

A Great Excuse³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: F Brennan

150/1, tenth of 12 in bumper at Warwick (16f, soft) on NH debut 30 days ago. Lots more needed on hurdles debut.

Form: 6P3-0

Atomic Level⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon

€20,000 3-y-o, €30,000 5-y-o, Diamond Boy gelding. Half-brother to fair hurdler Kavanaghs Cross. Dam unraced sister to useful 23f hurdle winner Senor Lombardy. This Irish points winner is respected on his debut.

Form: P71

Fort St Angelo²⁴

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

Only modest form shown over hurdles thus far, and fell 4th in novice hurdle at Newbury (16.3f, soft) 24 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 5-1240F

Graham²⁰⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore

A fairly useful 1m4f Flat winner for Richard Hannon but off since a good second in 1m4f handicap at Newbury 6 months ago. Since change hands for 40,000 gns and considered on his hurdling/yard bow.

Form:

Grenadier Jed²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford

Third in a bumper in January but more one for the longer term over jumps judged on his first two attempts at Fontwell and Exeter.

Form: 53-97

Jorebel²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon

Placed in Irish points but well held in a pair of maiden hurdles at Newbury this winter. Needs a major step forward.

Form: 423-74

Low Expectations^h²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford

Promising third of 11 in a Downpatrick bumper for Paul Nolan in September but looked one for the longer term when merely closing up late on Plumpton hurdle debut 26 days ago.

Form: 36

Lud'or⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: T Symonds| OR: 120

Fairly useful ex-French hurdler who has been placed both starts for his current yard, fading only late when third at Uttoxeter (19.9f) on latter occasion. Likely player back at 2m.

Form: 52-23

Pearl's Pirate¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore

Has been brought along steadily, a patiently-ridden sixth of 9 in novice at Fontwell (17.7f, soft) on his hurdles bow 16 days ago. Can do better in due course.

Form: 3-6

Shan't Wait²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: C E Longsdon

Has hinted at promise both starts over hurdles, seventh in 2m Southwell novice 26 days ago. More one for handicaps after this.

Form: 67

Ballyhealy Diamond²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Steele

Has shown little in a pair of bumpers 9 months apart. Lots more required on her first go in this sphere.

Form: 6-5

Khrisma^h1⁴¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

Dual bumper winner in France who also finished third in a Grade 1 bumper at Fontainebleau 13 months ago on her final run for Emmanuel Clayeux. Very much one to consider now going hurdling for new leading owner/top yard.

Form: 62/3113-

Forecasts

Khrisma (11/8), Fingle Bridge (2/1), Lud'or (5/2), Graham (12/1), Atomic Level (20/1), Pearl's Pirate (50/1), Jorebel (50/1), Low Expectations (50/1), Shan't Wait (66/1), A Great Excuse (100/1), Ballyhealy Diamond (100/1), Fort St Angelo (100/1), Grenadier Jed (100/1)

FINGLE BRIDGE created an excellent impression when going in at the first time of asking in this sphere at Uttoxeter and can defy a 6 lb penalty at the chief expense of Lud'or who might have to settle for minor honours once more. Nicky Henderson's French recruit Khrisma is another to consider despite her lengthy absence, while fellow hurdling newcomers Graham and Atomic Level also need factoring into this intriguing maiden.