15:15 Huntingdon

Sunday 16 April 2023

All13:3514:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Bet At racingtv.com Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 3m 45.02s

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Selected odds by:

Cruz Control¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 122| D

11/4

Fairly useful in bumpers and made the perfect start in this sphere with a stylish victory at Newcastle (16.9f, soft) on Boxing Day. Jumped none too fluently when seventh in Cheltenham Grade 2 but got back on track when making all in a thin race at Wetherby (2m) 16 days ago. Much respected.

Form: 217-171

Western Zephyr³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: B Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 120| CD

7/2

Point/bumper winner who defied a penalty at the second time of asking over C&D in January. Very disappointing both starts since though, including in a first-time hood on handicap debut at Sandown latest.

Form: 0-1315P

Dancila²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121| D

7/2

Useful Flat winner in Ireland for Jim Bolger and excellent start over hurdles when seeing off 3 winners at Musselburgh in February. A shade disappointing when second under a penalty at Taunton but he's still a key player.

Form: 12

Matterhorn^t⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 123

6/4

Got back on track away from the mud (also had breathing op) when impressive winner of 10-runner novice hurdle at Taunton (19f, good) 45 days ago, cruising clear. Nice prospect.

Form: 3/P1

Flashy Boy^h1³⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: T Lacey

40/1

£25,000 5-y-o, Sageburg gelding. Half-brother to fairly useful but untrustworthy chaser Oscar O'Scar and fair hurdler/chaser Almost Gold. Successful on last of 5 starts in Irish points (Apr 2022). Wears hood.

Form: PP64-1

Remember Ally^t1¹¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: Tracey Leeson

300/1

66/1 when down the field in a C&D bumper on his debut on Boxing Day. Tongue tie on for hurdle debut.

Form: 0

Meanaz⁸⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: M Young

300/1

Has shown nothing both starts to date (bumper/maiden hurdle).

Form: 0P/

Non-Runners

No Risk With Lou¹¹⁷

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: A M Hales J: Kielan Woods

Noonie³⁰

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: P A Kirby J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Matterhorn (6/4), Cruz Control (11/4), Western Zephyr (7/2), Dancila (7/2), No Risk With Lou (25/1), Noonie (33/1), Flashy Boy (40/1), Meanaz (300/1), Remember Ally (300/1)

This is a deeper race than the one MATTERHORN won at Taunton, but it was still a taking performance and he's fancied to follow up. Cruz Control and Dancila are considered the main threats.