15:00 Kempton

Saturday 22 February 2025

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

Ladbrokes Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 57.0s

Celtic Dino⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Dylan Johnston| T: S Thomas| OR: 133| D

10/3

Dual bumper winner who made the perfect start over hurdles when winning a Wincanton novice (15.2f) in October and looked potentially useful when following up at Ascot (15.7f). Shaped a bit better than the result when fourth in the Formby (Miami Magic second) and should make his presence felt.

Form: 131-114

Tripoli Flyer²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 133| D

5/2

Most progressive in bumpers last term and is well on his way to living up to that promise over hurdles, making the most of a good opportunity at Market Rasen and then impressing with how quickly he settled matters in a falsely-run race at Musselburgh (15.6f). Open to plenty more improvement.

Form: 512-211

Andashan¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 124| CD

12/1

Course bumper winner who was much improved from hurdling debut under more positive tactics when easily landing C&D novice15 days ago. That performance is supported by the timefigure and he shouldn't be taken lightly up in grade.

Form: 13-U31

Blues Singer⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: A King| CD

125/1

Overcame inexperience to make a winning start in course junior bumper in March, green but coming clear. Matched that form when runner-up under a penalty at Ascot but too keen when well held in a stronger race there last time and starts out over hurdles in the face of a stiff task.

Form: 1-20

Miami Magic⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds| OR: 139| CD

9/5

Point winner who shaped well in a bumper (for D. Peters) and looked good in winning his first 2 starts over hurdles. Improved a chunk upped appreciably in grade when second in Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (17f, soft) on Boxing Day and sets the benchmark.

Form: 41-2112

Roysse^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 127| D

15/2

Unbeaten in 3 points and duly built on his Rules debut promise when beating 4 subsequent winners in a Newbury bumper. Nearly 30 lengths clear when falling last on second hurdle start back at aforementioned track in December before gaining compensation at Uttoxeter (15.8f). Unlikely shown all he can.

Form: 41-2F1

Starcrossed Lover³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 129| D

14/1

Confirmed the promise he'd shown in Ireland for Colm Murphy when landing 11-runner maiden hurdle at Windsor (16f, good to soft) in December. Defied a penalty in impressive style at Hereford and well worth his place in this better company.

Form: 2311

Non-Runners

Roadlesstravelled⁵⁸

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: J & A O'Neill J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.

Forecasts

Miami Magic (9/5), Tripoli Flyer (5/2), Celtic Dino (10/3), Roysse (15/2), Andashan (12/1), Starcrossed Lover (14/1), Roadlesstravelled (16/1), Blues Singer (125/1)

The run of the race was hardly conducive to an impressive display, so the fact TRIPOLI FLYER was still able to open up in taking fashion late on at Musselburgh on his most recent outing suggests he has smart potential, so he's the strong choice to come out on top in the likelihood he’ll raise his game plenty more now taking on better company. Miami Magic ran a cracker when second in the Grade 1 Formby on Boxing Day and sets the standard on that effort, with Starcrossed Lover also interesting.