15:10 Uttoxeter

Monday 25 February 2019

All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:1516:50

Abode Uttoxeter Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:12 | Winning time: 5m 59.4s

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Selected odds by:

Ardlethen⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| CD

85/40

Winner of a point-to-point and made amends for a novicey fall on hurdles debut when winning at Bangor last time. Faster ground and a penalty conspire against him this time.

Form: 1F1

Trio For Rio^p⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 132| D

3/1

Rallied strongly to nearly win at Bangor last month; was just denied in the final stride of the race. Does have a victory to his name from that course though and must be respected from just a 4lb higher mark. Shortlisted.

Form: 2-13152

Bubbles Of Gold⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Brendan Powell| T: O Murphy

12/1

Won a point-to-point on soft ground but has shown an aptitude since joining the professional ranks. Shown up well in both previous starts over hurdles and entitled to be thereabouts if he improves again.

Form: 1-62

Jones Well²⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: David England| T: O Murphy

33/1

Connections paid £36,000 for the gelding at the Cheltenham sales last may and has to be of interest on his belated debut. (Finished second in his only start in a point-to-point.) Another to seriously consider if supported in the betting market..

Form: 2

Langness³⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: M E Sowersby

150/1

Swapped hands for just £1,000 in December and needs to up his game considerably after two modest efforts posted so far. Others may be more progressive.

Form: 04-

The Cashel Man²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson

1/1

Rated 96 at his best on the Flat and joined a top yard in a bid to further extend his options with a career over jumps. Ran well on hurdles debut at Kempton last month and likely there's more to come. Highly respected.

Form: 2

The Raven's Return⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins

50/1

Winner of a bumper at Sandown in November but poor efforts over hurdles since. Freshened up by a break since December but still plenty to prove.

Form: 40-16P

Winter Soldier³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade| C

33/1

Won a bumper here in June 2015 and spent the major part of his days contesting point-to-points since. Been regressive in two previous runs over hurdles and is hard to recommend this time.

Form: 2315/50

Non-Runners

Just Like Beth¹¹⁰⁸

Weight: 10-11| Age: 11

T: G Fierro J: T J Phelan

Forecasts

The Cashel Man (1/1), Ardlethen (85/40), Trio For Rio (3/1), Bubbles Of Gold (12/1), Winter Soldier (33/1), Jones Well (33/1), The Raven's Return (50/1), Just Like Beth (150/1), Langness (150/1)

There was a lot to like about the debut run over hurdles posted by THE CASHEL MAN, who just found a better fancied stablemate too good in truly run race at Kempton. The gelding jumped well that day until a mistake at the last cost him dearly. He's sure to have learned from the experience and his speed from the Flat is a valuable tool to draw from in this company. Trio For Rio has a good attitude and looks the best alternative at this stage, while there should also be more to come from Bubbles Of Gold and Jones Well, who complete the shortlist.