13:20 Newbury

Friday 30 November 2018

All12:1012:4513:2013:5014:2515:0015:35

Ladbrokes Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:21 | Winning time: 5m 4.9s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Kateson²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: T Scudamore| T: T Lacey

5/4

Classy bumper performer as highlighted by his Aintree Grade Two second in final start in such contests. Made a winning start over hurdles at Chepstow three weeks ago despite not looking the easiest of rides. 5lb penalty for that but leading player.

Form: 12722-1

Captains Run¹⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

40/1

Only completed one of his four point-to-points where he finished second. Well related and joined top yard so fully expecting him to prove capable and not dismissed here on debut under rules.

Form: P-2SP

Colonel Keating²²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: A Glassonbury| T: R Rowe

100/1

Son of Yeats was an 8L winner of his second point-to-point back in April. Stiff task to start out over hurdles but obviously has ability so can't be ruled out completely.

Form: 21-

Continuum^p³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: P Hedger

100/1

Belatedly tackles hurdles for the first time in his career but probably just hoping to revive him given his official rating on the level is now some 30lb below his peak. Hard to fancy here.

Form:

Drunken Pirate²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Garner| T: Noel Williams| C

4/1

Son of Black Sam Bellamy was an impressive winner of a 2m bumper here latest in his second start; first this season. Has the build of a chaser so hurdles should suit and longer trip looked likely to be right up his street also; respected.

Form: 6-1

Duarigle¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: P Henderson

100/1

Point-to-point winner in Ireland in February outran 100/1 odds to finish seventh of 14 on rules debut in a Sandown maiden hurdle. Task however gets little easier here so more needed to make the frame.

Form: P1-57

Eclair D'Ainay²⁶⁵

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

12/1

Son of Network (sire of Sprinter Sacre) made a most pleasing debut at Auteuil back in March where he finished second of 11 beaten 7L. Excellent jumping pedigree and looks a potentially smart recruit for top yard. Shortlisted here.

Form: 2-

Hook Lane Roobee³⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Miss S Smith

33/1

Surprise winner on debut at Plumpton last December where he landed a 14 runner bumper. Form of that race worked out well enough overall so can't totally be ruled out although this not the easiest starting point over hurdles.

Form: 1-

It's For Alan^h³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: James Davies| T: Miss J S Davis

150/1

Recorded the fastest time of the day when landing a Quakerstown point-to-point in April. Made jumping errors on hurdles debut when a remote third of six at Worcester. Stable have gone 294 days without a winner.

Form: 5/FUP1-3

Morning Vicar²¹⁸

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

3/1

Winner here on debut failed to add to that in two subsequent starts although ran a sound race when second of 17 at Warwick most recently. Longer trip in his favour as he starts over hurdles and yard won this with top drawer novice Santini last year.

Form: 172-

Mr Pumblechook¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

11/1

Improved on two sixths in bumpers late last season when keeping on well for third (of 13) on hurdles/season bow at Bangor two weeks ago. Longer trip almost certain to suit him better and merits respect here with that run under his belt.

Form: 66-3

The Wolf²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex

16/1

Moderate fourth as favourite for first bumper at Stratford in May but improved plenty on that when third of 15 at Chepstow earlier this month. Has a smart jumping pedigree and suspect there is better to come now over hurdles.

Form: 43

Forecasts

Kateson (5/4), Morning Vicar (3/1), Drunken Pirate (4/1), Mr Pumblechook (11/1), Eclair D'Ainay (12/1), The Wolf (16/1), Hook Lane Roobee (33/1), Captains Run (40/1), Duarigle (100/1), Colonel Keating (100/1), Continuum (100/1), It's For Alan (150/1)

It may pay to chance French import ECLAIR D'AINAY on his UK debut for the prolific Skelton team. Having made a pleasing start over hurdles he was bought by an owner who finds plenty of high class performers from across the channel and this beautifully bred four-year-old could be the latest. The standard is set by Chepstow winner Kateson who will likely be a warm order despite a penalty and a tendency to jump left there. Nicky Henderson unveiled subsequent Grade One winner Santini here last season and if Morning Vicar is close to that stablemate ability wise he will surely go very close here.