15:25 Wincanton

Wednesday 27 February 2019

All13:2013:5014:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:00

In Association With Xtratherm CRS Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 3m 47.6s

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Selected odds by:

Collooney⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 126

8/15

Ran the 130-rated Brandon Castle to ½L on hurdles debut before dotting up as expected at Bangor. Sets a high standard and has one serious rival to beat.

Form: 2-121

Hymn And A Prayer^h³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs F M Shaw

20/1

In the process of outrunning odds of 66/1 when coming down three out at Fontwell last time. Still looks a long way off the standard set by the two principals.

Form: 30-370B

Not So Sleepy³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison

7/4

Three time winner on turf and ran off a mark of 96 when runner-up in a valuable 1m4f handicap on soft ground at Doncaster in November. Raced too freely on hurdling debut and tongue-tie is left off this time. Without a win since Oaks Day 2017.

Form: 4

Point Taken¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

9/1

Fetched £68,000 after winning over 1m2f on AW on only start on the Flat at Dundalk in October. Has plenty to learn judged on his first two runs over hurdles.

Form: 07

Power Surge⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: R Stephens

33/1

A €50,000 yearling made a winning debut in a slow time for Ralph Beckett back in August 2017. Has clearly had his problems since given the absence before a dismal return to action last month. Hurdles debut today.

Form:

Broke Away¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: M G Nolan| T: Alexandra Dunn

200/1

Some ability shown in a couple of bumpers (in Ireland) but three poor runs over timber so far and plenty to ponder at this point in time.

Form: 407-P70

Fingal Girl¹⁶³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Ben Jones⁽⁷⁾| T: S D Dixon

150/1

Only seen out the once when beating just one home in a Galway maiden (7f) more than four years ago. All sorts of questions to answer on hurdles debut, and others readily preferred.

Form:

Just Go For It

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: C Gethings| T: K Bishop

66/1

Half-sister to a couple of previous winners for this yard, but she would have to be a lot better than either to make a winning debut here.

Form:

Minnie Escape²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: James Best| T: V R A Dartnall

100/1

Modest form in bumpers and her hurdling has plenty of room for improvement judged on her two efforts this year.

Form: 7-47F6

Ruby Taylor⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Pte Alexandra Bell⁽⁷⁾| T: N Lampard

150/1

Took a step in the right direction by finishing ahead of one other rival last time and hard to take her chances seriously.

Form: P0

Powerful Society²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: James Davies| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 86

16/1

Receives plenty of weight but her form looks very modest and it remains hard to build a positive case for her.

Form: 5U2575

Forecasts

Collooney (8/15), Not So Sleepy (7/4), Point Taken (9/1), Powerful Society (16/1), Hymn And A Prayer (20/1), Power Surge (33/1), Just Go For It (66/1), Minnie Escape (100/1), Ruby Taylor (150/1), Fingal Girl (150/1), Broke Away (200/1)

There are only two serious contenders in this contest. Not So Sleepy has proved himself a capable middle-distance handicapper on the Flat where an official rating of 92 makes him a tough horse to discount in receipt of his allowance. However, he was too keen on his hurdling debut and, with a tongue-tie absent, the absence of an aid for the jockey is a concern along with the fact he is winless since June 2017. With that in mind Bangor winnerCOLLOONEY justifies getting the verdict as his previous close second to Brandon Castle looks outstanding given that rival's exploits since.