12:30 Wetherby

Saturday 11 January 2020

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:2515:55

wetherbyracing.co.uk Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 12:33 | Winning time: 4m 15.8s

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Selected odds by:

Aheadfullofdreams¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: William Marshall⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton

125/1

Impossible to make a case for given the way he has performed in two starts over hurdles to date, including at Newbury (2m; soft) last month when he was tailed off. Others have vastly stronger claims.

Form: 66/70

Bean In Trouble²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| D

4/1

Looked to be going the right way prior to taking a backwards step at Ascot (2m5f; heavy) last time out when finishing an underwhelming seventh. Something to prove now as he disappointed when runner-up (sent off 5/6f) on hurdles debut before that.

Form: 1-27

Chelsea's Boy²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

50/1

Well-beaten on first run over hurdles when sixth at Catterick (2m3f; good to soft) last month. That was his first run for over two years though, so he may come on significantly for it. Had been desperately out of form before getting injured though.

Form: 6

Coconut Splash⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

4/6

Looks the one to beat on form given he finished runner-up behind the 139-rated Imperial Alcazar on hurdles debut at Aintree (2m4f; soft), and was well in contention before crashing out at Newbury (2m; soft) when last seen. Solid claims.

Form: 1-2F

Fazayte²⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: James Nixon⁽⁵⁾| T: T Symonds

16/1

Placed in bumpers and sole run over hurdles when trained in France. Difficult to weigh up the strength of that form though. Now makes UK debut for yard who do well with these types. Check market vibes.

Form: 4333-

Giovanni Change¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford

7/2

Finished third over C&D behind the well-fancied Black Pirate on his hurdles debut last month. This looks a marginally stronger race, but he has to be considered as one of the leading contenders on that basis.

Form: 133

Machiavelli¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby

50/1

Not found any improvement for the switch to hurdles in two runs so far, finishing no better than midfield on each occasion. Qualifies for a handicap mark after this, and can be taken more seriously then.

Form: 87

No Regrets³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards

20/1

Already had a couple of attempts over hurdles when not disgraced. Looks likely to go handicapping after this though. Form of his recent effort at Musselburgh (2m; good to soft) has since been franked by the third. Solid place claims.

Form: 4-46

Shady Character⁹⁹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

100/1

Difficult to assess given his sole piece of form is when he finished third in a Eyton (3m; good; to soft) point-to-point back in April 2017. Now makes rules/hurdles debut after 999-day absence. Market likely to be the best guide to his chances.

Form: 3/

Small Present³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

33/1

Narrowly behind Yorvik on debut in a bumper and then probably ran to a similar level when finishing down the field at Southwell (2m; soft). Yard don't tend to have winners in that sphere, so he should be seen to better effect on hurdles debut.

Form: 56

Yorvik³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

25/1

Has finished fourth on both starts to date in a pair of bumpers, including at Sedgefield (2m;1f soft) behind a trio who drew well clear of the field. Likely to improve now sent jumping and could surprise a few as one of the outsiders.

Form: 44

Caroline's Quest²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan

100/1

Showed no improvement from hurdles debut at Hereford (2m; good) when she was tailed-off, as she finished last at Ffos Las (2m; heavy) recently. Likely to continue to need further experience, and is of more interest when handicapping.

Form: 89

Sweetest Smile¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R D Day| T: M E Sowersby

200/1

Began to lose her form on the flat prior to making a very low-key start to life over hurdles when a distant ninth at Catterick (2m; soft) last month. Extremely difficult to fancy on that evidence, and can be ruled out confidently.

Form: 9

Simul Amicis¹³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer

150/1

Shown minimal ability in four starts on the level, and was last seen finishing tailed-off on handicap debut at Ripon (2m; good) back in August. Masses to prove on hurdles debut and is subsequently best watched.

Form:

Forecasts

Coconut Splash (4/6), Giovanni Change (7/2), Bean In Trouble (4/1), Fazayte (16/1), No Regrets (20/1), Yorvik (25/1), Small Present (33/1), Chelsea's Boy (50/1), Machiavelli (50/1), Caroline's Quest (100/1), Shady Character (100/1), Aheadfullofdreams (125/1), Simul Amicis (150/1), Sweetest Smile (200/1)

This looks like a good opportunity for the promising COCONUT SPLASH to gain a first career victory over hurdles and get back on track following his final-flight fall in a hot contest at Newbury when last seen. He held smart form in his soles hurdles start prior to that, and should have no problems in this weaker event. After posting an encouraging first run over obstacles when third to the potentially above-average Black Pirate over C&D recently, Giovanni Change should be bang there once more. Similar comments apply to No Regrets who also has previous hurdle experience to his name, and should be kept in mind once sent handicapping after this.