12:35 Taunton

Thursday 13 December 2018

All12:3513:0513:3514:1014:4515:1515:50

Kings College Novices' Hurdle (Div 1)

Off time: 12:35 | Winning time: 4m 8.32s

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Selected odds by:

Southfield Stone¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| CD

2/9

Won a bumper here and followed up with a smooth C&D win last month. Stiffer test under the penalty but going the right way and, as he's yet to be really tested, the gelding still has plenty more to offer. (Yard won this last year.)

Form: 3-11

Anniversary Gift⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: C L Tizzard

25/1

Interesting pedigree but needs to step up considerably on his debut run in a bumper at Ffos Las, where he finished tailed off after being eased inside the final couple of furlongs. Others more convincing.

Form: 0

Druide Premier^t1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe

14/1

Well held by Southfield Stone over C&D last month and may already be in need of a step up in trip. Possible the tongue tie will help today and also feasible he can make the frame again. Risky for win only though.

Form: 333

Duc Du Mee²⁰⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R P McLernon| T: Mrs R Ford

150/1

Poor completion record in point-to-points and ,make limited appeal on that evidence. Best watched.

Form:

Gaelic Poet^t1⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: M G Nolan| T: Tim VaughanWS

100/1

Made very little impression in two bumpers and was well beaten on hurdling bow at Chepstow in October. Has undergone wind surgery since but a big improvement is required.

Form: 9-99

Genius³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington| D

5/1

Won a bumper at Southwell in May but anchored by his penalty in a similar race at Newbury last month; possible he was in need of the run on that occasion. Still has a bit to prove now he switches to hurdling.

Form: 19

Myboysam³³

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

11/1

Showed promise on debut in a bumper at Huntingdon last year but not so good in two outings since; the last of which came after a long absence, so reasonable to suggest he'll be fitter this time. Improvement still required.

Form: 28-6

Stormy Blues¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: N J Hawke

66/1

Only a modest hint of ability during his time with Godolphin on the Flat and has yet to capture the imagination over hurdles. Finished last of ten at Ludlow 17 days ago and is hard to recommend on that showing.

Form: 5P0

Super Snipe²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott

12/1

Made no impression in either of his previous starts and already has improvement to find. Others readily preferred.

Form: 68

Zee Man³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: David Dennis

40/1

Didn't make much progress in three starts in bumpers and was much the same when switching to hurdles last time out. Another that has a lot to prove on face value.

Form: 3520-P

Born To Boogie⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Alain Cawley| T: W G M Turner

150/1

Gained her solitary win on the Flat over 6f at Brighton in July but soon lost her way again. Finished last on her only previous start in this sphere and looks an unlikely candidate for top honours on this occasion.

Form: 5PU-P

Champagneforoscar²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Rex Dingle⁽⁷⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn

100/1

Well beaten in a bumper in October and was then pulled up when sent over hurdles at Chepstow last month. Stiff test ahead the filly can only match her previous levels here.

Form: 9P

Cushuish¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: R H Buckler

20/1

Improved since switched to hurdles but was no match for Southfield Stone last time and is another that may need a stiffer test of her stamina.

Form: 99-044

Forecasts

Southfield Stone (2/9), Genius (5/1), Myboysam (11/1), Super Snipe (12/1), Druide Premier (14/1), Cushuish (20/1), Anniversary Gift (25/1), Zee Man (40/1), Stormy Blues (66/1), Gaelic Poet (100/1), Champagneforoscar (100/1), Born To Boogie (150/1), Duc Du Mee (150/1)

Hard to escape the claims of SOUTHFIELD STONE, who already holds a few of these and looks to have been found an ideal opportunity to extend his winning sequence. The selection does have to give weight away all round, which may help Druide Premier get closer this time, while Cushuish can also make the frame if she can take a step forward this time. Support for Myboysam would also be noteworthy in what is a weak race.