Andy Townsend Memorial Standard Open NH Flat Race

Off time: 17:42 | Winning time: 3m 57.4s

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Selected odds by:

Took The Lot¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| CD

4/1

Rather surprisingly (looks like a chaser) had enough about him to win over C&D on his debut (form not really tested as yet). Yard do fairly well in this sphere; have a 23% strike rate (12-51) with those of a similar profile since 1997.

Form: 1

Bullsempire⁹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J McGrath| T: C Hobson

14/1

Showed ability in point-to-points although one of his wins came in a walkover (pulled up last two starts in that sphere). Not seen to best effect on Rules debut (C&D amateur bumper), wore hood/blinkers, now removed for stable debut.

Form: P21-PP6

Major Caballo⁶¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: J Farrelly

50/1

Finished last on his bumper debut looking a non-stayer even over a sharp Wincanton 1m7f when 7-2 market leader. Hooded for his second start at Worcester he continued his discouraging start to his career; again finished last.

Form: 75

Wbee⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: C Brace⁽⁵⁾| T: G Hanmer

3/1

Cheap purchase (£800, 3yo); related to winners though, his Warwick bumper debut offered something to work on. Below that form on his second start, he showed something more like his debut form last time when runner-up at Southwell; shortlisted.

Form: 462

Courteva

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: R Johnson| T: R J Price

12/1

Newcomer; half-sister to stablemate Captain Jack, dam, maiden hurdler, 2m winner on Flat. Jockey booking is eye-catching but, on the downside, the stable are 0-54 with debutantes in this sphere since 1997.

Form:

Eva's Diva⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: P W Middleton| BF

8/11

Yard 2-8 in bumpers in the last five years, this Irish import now makes her debut for the yard having twice run well in her native land. Cost £48,000 in August; both her placed runs being good enough to allow her to play a leading role.

Form: 32

Non-Runners

Just For Fee

Weight: 10-7| Age: 5

T: D M Loughnane J: Alain Cawley

Forecasts

Eva's Diva (8/11), Wbee (3/1), Took The Lot (4/1), Courteva (12/1), Just For Fee (12/1), Bullsempire (14/1), Major Caballo (50/1)

Given his size and scope it was a little surprising to see Took The Lot cope with such a sharp test on his debut and his stable as pointed out have a find strike-rate with bumper runners with his same profile, he won’t be far away under his penalty. EVA’S DIVA wasn’t a cheap purchase though for Phil Middleton and her form in Ireland in receipt of weight entitles her to make a winning start for the yard. Wbee is starting to look a little exposed in this sphere but has ability while Courteva with Richard Johnson taking the ride bids to give the Richard Price yard a debut bumper winner for the first time. Just For Fee is worth noting for any positive market vibes.