12:20 Ludlow

Wednesday 16 December 2020

All12:2012:5013:2013:5514:3015:0515:40

Tanners Wines 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 4m 0.28s

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Selected odds by:

Faivoir³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| D

4/6

Dual-bumper winner who landed the odds at the second time of asking over hurdles at Cheltenham in October. Ran at least as well as when fourth on Sandown handicap debut, so clearly the one to beat.

Form: 211-214

Amanofhisword¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: A Ralph

33/1

Good second in course bumper on debut, but well held completed start over hurdles. Handicaps presumably up after this

Form: 2P-4

Iron Port³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R Patrick| T: T H Weston

250/1

Third on completed start in points but little impact in maiden/novice hurdles.

Form: U3-09

Kakamora²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: T R George

5/2

£105,000 buy after winning sole start in Irish points. Failed to meet expectations on Rules/hurdles debut but was much improved when second of 16 over C&D last month. Likely to progress further.

Form: 1-62

King Frank⁵⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Chris Ward⁽⁵⁾| T: Sarah Bowen

200/1

Unplaced in a point and well beaten in a Stratford bumper for Pam Ford. Off 19 months.

Form: 5/8-

Mister Watson³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling

17/2

Shaped promisingly when runner-up in a Hereford on debut in March. Failed to make an impact on return/hurdles bow at Uttoxeter (19.9f), but can be expected to leave that form well behind in time.

Form: 2-5

Osprey Call³⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: A Ralph| D

20/1

A cheap purchase given pedigree but proved himself a bargain buy when winning AW bumper on debut. Looked a hard ride next time and subsequently sold from Noel Williams for £31,000.

Form: 18-

Passing Secrets

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan| T: T R Gretton

200/1

Passing Glance gelding. Dam (c101/h101) 2m-2½m hurdle/chase winner, also 10.5f winner on Flat, half-sister to fair hurdler (2m-17f winner) Theocritus.

Form:

Translink^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland

40/1

Encouraging second on bumper debut, then first past the post before being subsequently demoted at Hereford. Wasn't quite in the same form at Market Rasen last time, though. Makes hurdle debut.

Form: 2D6

Williamdeconqueror¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R Dickin

250/1

Twice-raced maiden under NH rules who was pulled up on Leicester hurdling debut 13 days ago, beaten 3 out.

Form: 6P

Minnie Mahler¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Mr Huw Edwards⁽⁷⁾| T: M Young

250/1

Well held both starts over hurdles.

Form: 7P

Poniente^h²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams

8/1

Surpassed bumper form when second of 8 on hurdles bow at Plumpton in January, but proved too free at Wincanton 10 months later. Hood back on.

Form: 2/762-6

Scripted Destiny

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Alan Johns| T: S Allwood

200/1

Shantou mare. Dam, lightly raced in bumpers/on Flat, half-sister to smart hurdler (stayed 25f) Son of Flicka. Probably best watched on debut.

Form:

Non-Runners

Malpas³⁰²

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: D McCain Jnr J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Faivoir (4/6), Kakamora (5/2), Poniente (8/1), Mister Watson (17/2), Malpas (14/1), Osprey Call (20/1), Amanofhisword (33/1), Translink (40/1), Passing Secrets (200/1), King Frank (200/1), Scripted Destiny (200/1), Williamdeconqueror (250/1), Iron Port (250/1), Minnie Mahler (250/1)

FAIVOIR hasn't looked totally straightforward but there's no doubt he has plenty of ability and he should be up to defying a penalty in a race of this nature. Kakamora was much improved when second over C&D last month and is the main threat with further progress on the cards.