Book Haldon Gold Cup Hospitality Novices' Selling Hurdle

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 36.1s

Land Afar⁷¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Nathan Andrews⁽¹⁰⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 122

8/13

Evidently had his share of problems but clearly retains plenty of ability, winning novice claimer at Ludlow (15.7f) before a good second at Huntingdon in January. Better than distance beaten suggests when fifth in novice at Leicester (20.5f) later that month and strong claims down in class/trip.

Form: 4/2-2125

Kintaro^v²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 80| BF

8/1

Maiden on the Flat/over hurdles, visor on 1st time in this code (retained here) when fourth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Taunton (19f, good) 23 days ago. Has plenty on his plate on these terms even allowing for the drop in class, though.

Form: 504F64

Saddlers Dream^p1⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Kimber| T: W G M Turner

100/1

Well beaten in 2 bumpers and similar story in pair of maiden hurdles in recent weeks. Steps up in trip with cheekpieces now enlisted but he's hard to make a case for.

Form: 6685

Denzil⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 104

9/4

Landed a 3-runner race on debut at Stratford, and despite being outclassed at Listed level on next start, bounced back with a brace of runners-up efforts. Not so good in handicaps since but drops in class here and looks well up to playing a part.

Form: 162203

Breccia^p,t⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: C Gethings| T: R Stephens| OR: 75

14/1

A fair winner at 17f on Flat and caught the eye from basement mark in this sphere when fifth of 9 in handicap hurdle (4/1) at Wincanton (19.8f, good) 9 days ago, running on. However, this is a difficult ask on these terms dropped to selling company.

Form: 37P-45

Forecasts

Land Afar (8/13), Denzil (9/4), Kintaro (8/1), Breccia (14/1), Saddlers Dream (100/1)

LAND AFAR clearly hasn't been the easiest to train, yet the pick of his exploits over the winter confirm he retains plenty of ability and, given a short break on the back of his Leicester run in January, this looks a good opportunity for him to resume winning ways. 4-y-o Denzil will appreciate this ease in class and rates the chief threat.