centralroofing.co.uk Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 0.07s

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Selected odds by:

Kings Ryde⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| D

1/4

Progress looks assured after two very accomplished runs to date. Showed promise in a bumper here in June and that was duly capitalised on with a Southwell debut hurdles success last month (2m4½f good). Looks the type capable of defying a penalty.

Form: 31

Norab^b¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 117

14/1

A horse with plenty of experience from the Flat (but only 69 rated). Has done okay over hurdles in the main, making all to score by 14L at Fontwell in June (2m3f), and whilst this ground is fine, the opposition is stronger.

Form: 438-14

Royal Beekeeper¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Ian Popham| T: D Skelton

14/1

Cost a decent sum as a foal (62,000 gns), but ended up in point-to-points after a brief Flat career for George Scott. Twice successful before joining this trainer, and offered something to work upon going forward at Southwell recently.

Form: U1U1P-5

Sky Pirate²⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill

5/1

A ready 3L winner of a 3m Larkhill Open Maiden (good) in February for Sophie Lacey, he moved on for £150,000 at the Cheltenham Sale in March. A fascinating rules newcomer for powerful connections.

Form: 1-

Snobbery¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

25/1

A winner of a 1m4f AW maiden on the Flat for Roger Charlton, but moved on for 31,000 gns in February. Possibly not suited by deep ground on hurdles and stable debut at Perth last month, but improvement necessary nonetheless.

Form: 5

Non-Runners

Snatchitback²¹²

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: M Scudamore J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

Kings Ryde (1/4), Sky Pirate (5/1), Norab (14/1), Royal Beekeeper (14/1), Snatchitback (20/1), Snobbery (25/1)

Sky Pirate is the talking horse in what could prove to be an above average novices hurdle by Worcester standards. He cost the princely sum of £150,000 at Cheltenham in March after winning a Larkhill Open Maiden Point in February. The market is the best guide to his chance on his rules debut, as he seeks to take advantage of receiving 6lb from the penalised Southwell scorer KINGS RYDE. However, the Nicky Henderson trained five-year-old has a year on his younger rival, and that all important hurdles experience under his belt. He missed a planned engagement here last week due to the overly fast ground, but looks fully capable of defying a penalty with Nico De Boinville back in the saddle (1 from 1 aboard).