13:20 Newbury

Friday 1 December 2017

All12:2012:5013:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Ladbrokes Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:21 | Winning time: 5m 5.3s

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Selected odds by:

Bekkensfirth⁷⁰⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 112| BF

10/1

Not seen out for almost two years, was capable of good class handicap form then and his defeat of the useful Lovely Job at Leicester reads well now. Question mark over fitness after such an absence but if fit, can go close.

Form: 633912/

Bill And Barn²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls

14/1

Point-to-point form reads well enough but he's not translated that under Rules as yet, twice a beaten favourite in bumpers and showed little on hurdles debut at Warwick. Drops back in trip here and in good hands, but still hard to fancy all the same

Form: 116/4-6

Boreham Bill²⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling

12/1

Looked very useful when winning on debut at Market Rasen and very highly tried in bumpers after that, performing with credit. Hurdles debut today and may need another step forward, but yard going well and not ruled out.

Form: 1205-

Boss Mans Ladder²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Mr Alex Ferguson⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling

20/1

Hasn't shown much in two starts to date, but gave the impression there's ability on latest start at Warwick and may yet do better. This just looks a bit too tough at this stage, however, and he may be one for handicaps down the line.

Form: 35

Chef Des Obeaux²⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: N J Henderson

7/2

Made a good impression (in the paddock too) on debut here at Newbury last year, looking green at times but battling on well to claim second. That form is working out fine, and with no ground worries, looks one of the more likely ones here.

Form: 57/2-

Nabatean⁹¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: M Goldstein| T: S Lycett

16/1

Interesting recruit to hurdling, not seen out since May 2015 but was capable of classy Flat form and rated 100 at the time. Half brother Hallings Comet has proven a revelation over hurdles, which gives hope he will take to it, and one to watch.

Form:

Robin Waters²¹⁵

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

3/1

Very easy winner of a point-to-point on only start, and looks a useful prospect for top yard this season. Market likely the best guide as to what's expected today but no surprise if he was able to make his presence felt.

Form: 1

Santini²⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

2/1

Could not have been more impressive in winning his point-to-point, and this half-brother to the useful Dusky Legend was purchased for £150,000 at the sales not long after. Comes from a good family and likely to be wound up for this. Looks a player.

Form: 1-

Shades of Silver³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: L Treadwell| T: E De Giles

25/1

By no means without ability on the Flat (rated 80), best around 2m but it's been a while since he showed much in that sphere and on that, looks to be biting off a bit more than he can chew today. Others make more appeal.

Form:

Forecasts

Santini (2/1), Robin Waters (3/1), Chef Des Obeaux (7/2), Bekkensfirth (10/1), Boreham Bill (12/1), Bill And Barn (14/1), Nabatean (16/1), Boss Mans Ladder (20/1), Shades of Silver (25/1)

Nicky Henderson might have the key to this, with both CHEF DES OBEAUX and Santini representing the yard and preference is for the former, who showed plenty on his bumper debut here and will know a lot more this time around. Santini has plenty of plus points in his pedigree and should make a nice hurdler this season. Bekkensfirth will be a big danger if wound up after a long absence.