14:20 Taunton

Monday 9 March 2020

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:50

William Hill Extra Place Races At Cheltenham Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 32.05s

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Selected odds by:

God Knows Why³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams

25/1

Runner-up on his second start in an Irish point-to-point he now makes his Rules debut. Half-brother to useful hurdler Forge Meadow and bumper winner Franks A Million; market may prove the best guide to expectations.

Form: 52

Hewn From Granite²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins

14/1

Dropped in trip for his second start over hurdles (modest form in bumpers) he showed improved form which was promising as he's stoutly-bred. Will be suited by a return to 2m4f and possibly one to watch once he has a handicap mark.

Form: 09463

Marettimo⁴⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 106| BF

16/1

Performed well over hurdles although he's now starting to look rather exposed and vulnerable to those who have had fewer starts. Ran well when last seen, should have a part to play but one or two appeal more given his overall profile and absence.

Form: 257322-

Stormy Flight⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 115

2/1

Fair second on his only bumpers start he's gradually improved over hurdles although he has the look of one who will do better in handicaps. Third over C&D to Buzz last time out his mark may now be a little higher than it might have been.

Form: 2-563

Treacys Jim^h1³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁵⁾| T: J D Frost

200/1

Maiden from the point-to-point sphere who showed next to nothing on his Rules debut at Wincanton in a bumper. Hard to recommend on that outing and now hooded for his initial hurdle run, best watched for now.

Form: 4U7-P0

Yaa Salaam^b³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 119

2/1

Useful ex-German Flat performer who has yet to win over hurdles despite showing the ability to do so. Blinkers remain from last time when he got back on the up doing well to finish third in a Kempton handicap; should find this easier.

Form: 32-263

Blue Jacaranda¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Max Kendrick⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien

40/1

Modest bumper form when trained in Ireland her hurdles form so far has an inauspicious look about it including on GB/stable debut last time. May well have needed the run (raced freely), would need to show plenty of improvement.

Form: 3479

Glajou¹⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

2/1

GB/stable newcomer who has shown ability in French bumpers/juvenile hurdles prior to be being purchased for €90,000 in November. Joined a top-class yard and not hard to see him taking a step forward after a short absence.

Form: 5533

Sa Alors

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater

50/1

Newcomer, half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/chaser Epoustouflaunt and modest chaser Camaplu. Dam, bumper winner. Takes on for the most part her elders and likely to need the experience unless the market suggests otherwise.

Form:

Forecasts

Stormy Flight (2/1), Yaa Salaam (2/1), Glajou (2/1), Hewn From Granite (14/1), Marettimo (16/1), God Knows Why (25/1), Blue Jacaranda (40/1), Sa Alors (50/1), Treacys Jim (200/1)

One or two of these are going to prove more at home in handicaps and it’s one who returns from that sphere in YAA SALAAM who sets the standard. Useful on the Flat in Germany he’s given a good chance to open his hurdling account here. Hewn From Granite and Stormy Flight are two that will be more at home in handicaps but can’t be written off here while the consistent Marettimo isn’t out of this although he can look vulnerable to those less exposed. Glajou is the most fascinating contender with his French form hinting that he has to be respected in this sphere and the market may prove the best guide as to his expectations.