14:45 Cheltenham

Friday 21 October 2022

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 4m 55.51s

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Selected odds by:

Flaming Moon³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: M J Smith| OR: 124

7/2

Fit from the Flat when opening his hurdles account at Galway in listed company in July. Matched that form when runner-up at Listowel last month but wouldn't necessarily be crying out for this trip.

Form: 2-25F12

The Wounded Knee^t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Mrs A Duffield| OR: 118

20/1

Placed both starts in points and progressive form over hurdles, recording a brace of Perth wins (maiden and handicap) at up to 3m. Very likely he can leave bare form behind but he will certainly need to at this level.

Form: P33-311

Wild Shot^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Kieren Buckley| T: J C McConnell| OR: 128

25/1

Completed cross-code treble on the level in June and posted another sound effort on the Flat when second at Bellewstown 3 weeks ago. Has had quite a bit of racing for a novice and lacks the scope of a few of these.

Form: 74-1106

Desert Friend⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: D Hogan| OR: 118

66/1

Well prepared following 6 months off when landing 18-runner maiden hurdle at Listowel in June. Matched that form despite pulling hard at Sligo in August but he looks up against it on these terms.

Form: 258-133

Mofasa¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Luca Morgan| T: M Scudamore| D

7/2

Shaped like a stayer in his bumper and looked a good prospect a year on when a smooth winner over 19.9f on hurdles debut 3 weeks ago. Sure to build on that.

Form: 4-1

Music Drive^t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

6/4

Pretty useful bumper winner who landed the odds without too much fuss on hurdles debut at Galway 17 days ago. Stiffer test of stamina will suit and he's open to masses of improvement for his top yard.

Form: 12185-1

Saint Riquier^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| OR: 127

9/1

Off the mark over hurdles in 19f Warwick handicap in May. Fair runs on the level next 2 starts and may not have stayed 22f at Cartmel in July.

Form: 2945-10

Apple Away²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| D

33/1

£35,000 5-y-o. Arctic Cosmos mare. Dam, point winner, half-sister to useful hurdler (stays 3m) Dr Des. Easily off mark in Irish points at third attempt in April and overcame greenness when making winning hurdle debut at Bangor last month. Better to come.

Form: 241-1

Must Be Dreaming³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: G Ahern| OR: 101

100/1

Wexford handicap win in May came in a very weak race and she's up against it on balance of her form.

Form: 133565

Notnowlinda¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

10/1

Bought for £85,000 after winning her sole Irish point in November and made a cracking start under Rules when third in a listed bumper here in January. Displayed willing attitude when making successful hurdles debut at Warwick and likely to improve.

Form: 133-1

Non-Runners

She Is Electric²¹

Weight: 11-1| Age: 7

T: N Lee J: Darragh O'Keeffe

Lord Snootie²⁰

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: Christian Williams J: Jack Tudor

Forecasts

Music Drive (6/4), She Is Electric (11/4), Mofasa (7/2), Flaming Moon (7/2), Saint Riquier (9/1), Notnowlinda (10/1), The Wounded Knee (20/1), Lord Snootie (20/1), Wild Shot (25/1), Apple Away (33/1), Desert Friend (66/1), Must Be Dreaming (100/1)

Having shaped like a stayer in bumpers, MUSIC DRIVE was well on top when making a successful hurdles debut over 19f at Galway 3 weeks ago and with plenty more to come from him, he could be the way to go. She Is Electric and Flaming Moon have just about achieved the most of these but this trip could be an issue for both, so Mofasa is feared most.