Parklands Golf Course Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 52.4s

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Selected odds by:

The Wolf³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: O Murphy| OR: 125

1/1

Easily landed the odds in a weak novices' hurdle at Fakenham (2m4f, good) in October; was beaten 1¾L by Dorking Boy from a mark of 123 in a Class 2 handicap at Newbury (2m4½f, soft) 31 days ago.

Form:

Uncle Jonty⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R D Day| T: N G Richards

7/1

Aspatria point winner (May 2017); more than a shade fortunate when successful on return from a lengthy absence at Kelso (2m6½f, heavy) in November; more needed under the incurred 7lb penalty.

Form:

Electron Bleu⁵²

11/4

Maiden over hurdles (0-5); has had wind surgery since his last start at Wetherby; was headed approaching the final flight when finishing 5¼L third to Duc De Beauchene in a Class 3 handicap at Cheltenham (2m5f, soft) in November.

Form:

Mr Katanga

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington

8/1

Flemensfirth gelding (€16,000 vendor 3yo); third foal; half-brother to the useful bumper/2m5f chase winner Mortal; trainer Harry Whittington is 3-8 (38%) at Newcastle; the market should offer an indicative guide to his chances.

Form:

Scottish Accent⁷⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies

100/1

Twice placed in three starts in Irish point-to-points (for Michael R Murphy); joined Rebecca Menzies for £8,000 in December 2019; stablemate of Maid In Manhattan.

Form:

Blossoming Forth⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 109

8/1

Cost £130,000 in May 2019; bitterly disappointing in a Carlisle bumper (on stable debut); has steadily found her feet over hurdles - kept on from the final flight when finishing 1¼L third to Glorious Lady at Kelso (2m4½f, soft) in early December.

Form:

Non-Runners

Maid In Manhattan¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: R Menzies J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Wolf (1/1), Electron Bleu (11/4), Maid In Manhattan (5/1), Uncle Jonty (7/1), Blossoming Forth (8/1), Mr Katanga (8/1), Scottish Accent (100/1)

With Maid In Manhattan flopping at Kelso yesterday (refused) and Uncle Jonty being a fortunate winner on his rules/hurdles debut, this prize looks likely be headed south to either Olly Murphy, Tim Vaughan or Harry Whittington. The market should offer an indicative guide as to the chances of the Brooks-owned newcomer Mr Katanga. Meanwhile, both ELECTRON BLEU (Cheltenham) and The Wolf (Newbury) have solid handicap form in the book. Fresh from wind surgery and in receipt of weight (12lb if factoring in the 5lb claim of Charlie Price) a narrow preference is for Tim Vaughan's charge.