14:48 Perth

Wednesday 23 April 2025

All13:4814:1814:4815:1815:4816:2217:0017:32

British EBF Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Listed) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:48 | Winning time: 6m 2.57s

Dedicated Hero⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 128

40/1

Dual-bumper winner who made it 2-3 in this sphere when landing a Grade 2 at Haydock (15.6f, soft) in January. That admittedly wasn't a particularly strong race for the grade but he's clearly going the right way. Upped markedly in trip but promises to stay.

Form: 31-1311

Intense Approach⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen| T: J C McConnell| OR: 133| D

9/1

Enjoyed an excellent summer/autumn with 3 wins and also a fine second in Persian War at Chepstow. Resumed from a three-month break with a cosy 3m novice success at Musselburgh before finding the Albert Bartlett too much last month. Back in grade.

Form: 11211P

Royal Infantry¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 134

16/1

Point/bumper winner looked smart prospect when showing plenty of speed to run away with introductory hurdle at Haydock (15.6f) in December. Failed to land the odds in Grade 2 at the same venue the following month and questions to answer after another lesser run after a wind op. Up in trip.

Form: 18-1145

Ballygunner Castle¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: W P Mullins| OR: 134

17/2

Dual-bumper/maiden hurdle winner in 2024 and advanced his form when third in listed company at Fairyhouse 3 weeks ago. Isn't really crying out for return to 3m but he's a player on form.

Form: 1-11423

Go West²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 128

10/1

Bumper winner in March 2023 and has resumed from a long absence in excellent form, bagging 2m4f novice hurdle at Fakenham in December before defying a penalty then double penalty at Taunton and Kempton. Fluent jumper who deserves shot at this level.

Form: 10/5111

Horaces Pearl¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135

7/2

One of the best around in bumpers last season, signing off with a Grade 2 win here and made a fine start over hurdles, toying with a last-time-out winner when defying a penalty at Newbury (20.5f) in February. Held back by jumping in Grade 1 company at Aintree but he can bounce back up in trip.

Form: 1/11-115

Jig's Forge⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 132| D

14/1

Winning Irish pointer who made a successful start in this sphere in 2m4f novice at Ffos Las in November. Not disgraced when a well-held fourth of 6 in River Don Novices' Hurdle at Doncaster and fared as well as could be expected when sixth in the Albert Bartlett.

Form: F31-146

Jupiter Des Mottes⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 121| BF

50/1

Looked a good prospect in winning his only outing in bumpers for Nicky Richards and did so again in making a successful start over hurdles upped in trip at Newcastle (20.3f) 10 months later. Lost his unbeaten record when turned over at cramped odds at Ayr since and this a big ask.

Form: 1-12

Kiss Will⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

5/1

Runner-up sole outing in bumpers in France for Francois Nicolle and created a huge impression starting out for powerful connections when making all in 13-runner maiden at Fairyhouse (16.2f) 16 months on. Seemed to find the Grade 1 Turners Novices' Hurdle too much last time but he retains potential.

Form: 2-17

Minella Rescue¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Hogan| T: G Hanmer| OR: 134

33/1

Dual-bumper winner who struck at the third time of asking over hurdles in 2¾m Stratford novice in May. Seemed to show much-improved form under a hold-up ride when second in the Grade 1 Sefton 3 weeks ago. Task is to back that up.

Form: 3-14232

Mister Meggit^t¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 135

9/2

Looked very good when winning first 2 bumpers. Suffered interference when well beaten in a Grade 2 bumper final start but made a winning hurdling debut in stylish fashion back at Aintree in the autumn. Tongue tied and shaped best when fourth in the Sefton, making a bad late mistake. Smart prospect.

Form: 110-14

Roaring Conquest⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 126| D

14/1

Off mark in Irish points at third attempt and confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut when winning 12-runner maiden at Lingfield (19.5f, good to soft) in December, leading 2 out and soon clear. Up in grade and shaped nicely when third in the Grade 2 Prestige Hurdle upped to 3m in February.

Form: 6-31413

You Oughta Know^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 130

14/1

Fairly useful hurdler. Respectable 16¾ lengths fourth of 8 to Mr Percy in Easter Festival Novices' Hurdle at Fairyhouse (20f, good, 13/2) 17 days ago. In top hands but jolt of progress required upped to 3m.

Form: 1200-14

Gale Mahler^t,p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: A Keatley| OR: 128

28/1

Made it 6 wins on the spin in listed hurdle at Galway (2m) in July. Has proven more miss than hit since, however a tongue tie seemed to do plenty for her as she more than arrested the slide when landing 3-runner novice at Ayr 11 days ago.

Form: 3420P1

Forecasts

Horaces Pearl (7/2), Mister Meggit (9/2), Kiss Will (5/1), Ballygunner Castle (17/2), Intense Approach (9/1), Go West (10/1), You Oughta Know (14/1), Jig's Forge (14/1), Roaring Conquest (14/1), Royal Infantry (16/1), Gale Mahler (28/1), Minella Rescue (33/1), Dedicated Hero (40/1), Jupiter Des Mottes (50/1)

A cracking listed contest with MISTER MEGGIT the suggestion having shaped particularly well when heavily backed to the land the Sefton at Aintree 3 weeks ago, with his inexperience costing him at the business end. Horaces Pearl was a bit disappointing when surrendering his unbeaten record in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle but he may well get back on track, with Roaring Conquest another to consider.