14:35 Newton Abbot

Wednesday 17 May 2023

All14:0514:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Alan (Rabbit) Welch Tribute Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 4m 2.35s

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Selected odds by:

Astronomic View¹⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| D

9/4

Fairly-useful bumper winner who offered plenty to work on when third of 6 on 2m Ffos Las hurdle debut in November. Not taken lightly.

Form: 3138/3-

Bohemian Lad⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: A J Honeyball

100/1

Well held on sole bumper outing and been a similar story in both hurdle starts. Likely a longer-term project.

Form: 777-

King Of The Lake⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott

1/1

Promising sort who posted fairly-useful form when second of 11 in novice hurdle at Wincanton (15.2f, good to soft) on NH debut 51 days ago. Likely more to come and is the one to beat.

Form: 2-

Oakley Dancer⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 107

13/2

Showed a bit in a Hexham bumper and improved on previous hurdling efforts when landing a 9-runner novice at Chepstow (16.1f) in March. Shortlisted.

Form: 4361-

Shot Tower^t³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Joe Ponting

80/1

Out of a dual bumper winner but yet to threaten in a couple of outings over hurdles.

Form: F3337-

Zufal³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: J D Frost

300/1

Showed little on yard/hurdles debut at this course last month.

Form: 0/P-

Marley Head²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

50/1

Fair maiden on the Flat but hasn't shown much in a couple of attempts in this sphere.

Form: U6-

Tidal Storm³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham

4/1

Fair handicapper on Flat who made an encouraging start over timber when third of 14 at Taunton (16.5f) in December. Below that form the last twice but switched to new yard since and worth monitoring in the market.

Form: 30-

Dark Moon³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn

250/1

Well held in bumpers 12 weeks apart and fared no better on hurdles debut last month.

Form: 097-

Maskara¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

250/1

Well beaten on sole bumper outing last year and shaped as if better for run when tenth of 13 in novice at Chepstow (19.4f, good) on hurdles bow 19 days ago. Likely to need more time.

Form: 70-

La Bretesche²⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Alan Johns| T: J ScottWS

40/1

Modest performer in France and not seen since eighth of 10 in juvenile hurdle (12/1) at Dieppe (16.9f, soft) 8 months ago. Likely best watched on yard debut. Had wind operation.

Form: 3P8-

Mairis Icon²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins

150/1

No show in a couple of bumpers but offered more when fifth of 12 in novice (150/1) at Exeter (16.7f, good to soft) on hurdles bow 26 days ago, best work finish. Will likely be seen in better light when upped in trip/sent handicapping.

Form: 085-

Forecasts

King Of The Lake (1/1), Astronomic View (9/4), Tidal Storm (4/1), Oakley Dancer (13/2), La Bretesche (40/1), Marley Head (50/1), Shot Tower (80/1), Bohemian Lad (100/1), Mairis Icon (150/1), Maskara (250/1), Dark Moon (250/1), Zufal (300/1)

KING OF THE LAKE pulled clear of the remainder when runner-up on hurdles bow at Wincanton last month and looks sure to progress. He can open his account. Astronomic View and Oakley Dancer look the likeliest dangers.