13:15 Sandown

Friday 24 January 2025

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:10

Anne Boleyn 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 16.06s

Kap Vert²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 122

6/1

Runner-up in a point and promising start over hurdles in recent months, opening his account second time up in an Exeter novice last month. Probably matched that level of form when third back there (16.7f, heavy) on New Year's Day and fancied to be in the shake up despite carrying a penalty.

Form: 9-2513

C'est Different¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Dylan Johnston⁽³⁾| T: S Thomas

80/1

Well held in a bumper and similar story on both starts over hurdles, though seemed to show a bit more than previously at Chepstow (16f, heavy) earlier this month. Looks one for handicaps after this.

Form: 654

Castle Carrock⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| D

9/2

Stood out on paper and looked a good prospect in justifying short odds on debut in 6-runner bumper at Ayr (16f, good to soft) in November. Has since left Nicky Richards and he looks a likely type now hurdling for a powerful yard.

Form: 1

Diva Luna²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 118

2/9

Runner-up on only outing in points and she was 2-2 in bumpers, including a hot renewal of the Nickel Coin at Aintree. Improved from her hurdling debut to get off the mark in convincing fashion in 9-runner novice at Cheltenham (20.2f, soft) recently and should prove tough to beat with more to come.

Form: 211-21

I'm Your Buckaroo²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore

100/1

Buck's Boum gelding who offered little on debut when pulled up in novice hurdle at Cheltenham (20.2f, soft) just over 3 weeks ago. Best watched for now.

Form: P

King Of Highways³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon

66/1

Comfortably held in 2 bumpers and on hurdles debut but did show much more when fourth in novice company at Plumpton (15.9f, good to soft) just under 6 weeks ago. Looks one for handicaps after this qualifying run.

Form: 9-054

Noble Park²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

33/1

Well held in Sandown bumper and both starts over hurdles, looking rather nervy beforehand at Newbury last month. He's got plenty to prove already but given his connections and pedigree, it's too soon to be writing him off.

Form: 860

Pearl's Pirate²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Rob Hargreaves⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore

125/1

Has been brought along steadily, a patiently-ridden sixth of 9 in novice at Fontwell (17.7f, soft) on his hurdles bow just over 4 weeks ago. Can do better in due course.

Form: 3-6

Rip Wheeler³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore

50/1

Picked up for £31,000 after winning one of his 3 point starts but looks more one for handicaps on early evidence under Rules.

Form: 31-466

Ballyhealy Diamond³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Steele

300/1

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

Form: 6-5

Forecasts

Diva Luna (2/9), Castle Carrock (9/2), Kap Vert (6/1), Noble Park (33/1), Rip Wheeler (50/1), King Of Highways (66/1), C'est Different (80/1), I'm Your Buckaroo (100/1), Pearl's Pirate (125/1), Ballyhealy Diamond (300/1)

DIVA LUNA got off the mark in convincing fashion at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and, with further progress on the cards, Ben Pauling's mare is selected to double her tally in this sphere at the expense of Castle Carrock, who looked a good prospect in justifying short odds in a bumper at Ayr in November and has switched yards ahead of his hurdling debut. The penalised Kap Vert looks best of the remainder.