13:32 Perth

Friday 25 April 2025

All13:3214:0514:4015:1715:5216:2517:00

Campbell & Son Roofing Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:32 | Winning time: 4m 1.67s

Junker D'allier⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 127

4/7

Runner-up all 3 starts in bumpers and excellent start over hurdles during the autumn, comfortably landing novices at Carlisle/Bangor. Struggled in Grade 1 company next time and a couple of untimely errors didn't help when fourth at Huntingdon latest. Return to calmer waters in his favour now.

Form: 22-11P4

Byron Hill^t⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Henry Brooke| T: P Neville| OR: 111| D

11/2

Confirmed previous promise when running out a dominant winner of 10-runner handicap hurdle at Carlisle (17.1f) in October. Good third back at that venue the following month but finished down the field over hurdles/on Flat on last 2 outings. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 822139

Hasten Slowly⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 122| D

10/1

Fair Flat winner who doubled her tally over hurdles in handicap at Punchestown (16.3f) in October. Found out by rise in class at Cheltenham next time but she ought to be sharper for her first start for 6 months on the Flat at Gowran 9 days ago.

Form: 62118

Just Winging It^p1⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 70

300/1

Well-held in a bumper and 4 hurdle starts to date. Very difficult to make a case for returned to novice company. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 60807

Spadestep⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

11/4

Jukebox Jury gelding who was successful sole start in points last year and promising start in this sphere when chasing home a next-time-out winner in 10-runner novice at Carlisle (17f) 47 days ago. Very much one to consider with improvement forthcoming.

Form: 12

Split Stone⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander

300/1

Well held in a bumper but some encouragement to glean from second of his 3 starts in novice/maiden hurdles during the winter. However, he's hard to fancy on that evidence here and handicaps will be more his thing moving forward.

Form: 778P

Charlies Girl^h⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny McMenamin| T: D Bourke

250/1

Well held in a Punchestown maiden on sole start for Shay Slevin last year and did no better after 3 months off/equipped with a hood when well held fourth of 6 in an Ayr novice (2m, heavy) for new stable in February. Passed over.

Form: 04

Drop Kick⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford

20/1

Wings of Eagles gelding. Half-brother to fair chaser Nice To Meet and fair hurdler Helly Hansum. Dam 1½m winner. Third sole start in Irish points (Mar 1). Worth a precautionary market check on debut.

Form: 3

Tommy's Promise⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: B S Hughes| T: I Jardine

250/1

Saxon Warrior gelding. Failed to beat a rival in trio of Flat starts and, back from 16 months off was far too free when pulled up 3 out on hurdles bow at Ayr (2m) last month. This may reveal more but he can only be watched.

Form: P

Non-Runners

Moon Phases⁴⁹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Jack Power

Forecasts

Junker D'allier (4/7), Spadestep (11/4), Byron Hill (11/2), Moon Phases (7/1), Hasten Slowly (10/1), Drop Kick (20/1), Charlies Girl (250/1), Tommy's Promise (250/1), Just Winging It (300/1), Split Stone (300/1)

Successful on his only start in points, SPADESTEP shaped like a sure-fire future winner under Rules when runner-up behind one boasting much more experience on hurdles bow at Carlisle 47 days ago. He can confirm the promise of that effort and come out on top. Junker d'Allier should appreciate the return to calmer waters and is a definite threat. Hasten Slowly and Moon Phases complete the shortlist in the opener.