13:57 Uttoxeter

Saturday 25 January 2025

All12:1212:4713:2213:5714:3215:0715:4216:1916:20

Colin Bevan 66th Birthday Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 2)

Off time: 13:58 | Winning time: 4m 7.63s

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Selected odds by:

Ballyvango^h²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| BF

10/3

Fair form in bumpers and bright start over hurdles, albeit not looking entirely straightforward when second of 14 in a Kelso maiden (16.2f) 4 weeks ago, keeping on when bad mistake last. Remains open to improvement and he's one to consider. Hood retained.

Form: 5/73-62

Desert Halo²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 112

10/1

Some promise in trio of bumper outings and stepped up plenty on his hurdles debut effort when second of 9 in novice at Lingfield (2m) in November. Subsequent Haydock run was a long way below that level though, and he needs to bounce back.

Form: 2/4-4624

Dontuforgetaboutme²⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies

300/1

Scorpion gelding who was sent off at long odds and was well-beaten last of 7 in a Southwell bumper (15.8f, heavy) back in May. Best watched now attentions switch to hurdles.

Form: 7

King Of Thieves³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

16/1

Runner-up sole outing in Irish points and shaped well when occupying same spot in a bumper at Ffos Las (15.8f, heavy) in March. Off 9 months prior to a low-key hurdles debut run at that venue 37 days ago but this should reveal more. Back down in trip.

Form: 22-8

Nathanael Greene⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Murray Dodd⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph

25/1

A useful winner on Flat (stays 2m) for William Haggas. Changed hands for 45,000 gns but little promise completed starts over hurdles.

Form: P-04

Rubber Ball²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 113

1/2

Irish point winner who ran to a fair level when fifth of 14 in bumper at Cheltenham and improved from hurdles debut when third of 14 in a Huntingdon maiden (15.8f) 23 days ago. Rates the type to do better still and he's one for the shortlist.

Form: 1-533

Uncertain Terms²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr

150/1

Maiden pointer who was sent off at 50/1 and made an unpromising start to his Rules career when last of 5 in novice hurdle at Catterick (15.7f) 24 days ago. Best watched.

Form: 67-4245

Watching Over You⁷⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: K Brogan| T: O Murphy

14/1

Flat-bred gelding who was very well served by the emphasis on speed when making it second time lucky in bumper at Exeter (16.7f) in February 2023. Absent/switched yards ahead of his return and the market may prove a useful guide on hurdles bow.

Form: 71/

Shes All Pride^h⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Ellis Collier⁽⁷⁾| T: Deborah Cole

100/1

Runner-up sole start in Irish points but finished a well held third in an Ayr bumper in November and she was never involved with a hood applied when seventh of 9 in a mares' novice hurdle at Fontwell (19f) 46 days ago. Low-grade handicaps later on will be more her bag.

Form: 237

Solid Silver³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole

12/1

Fair bumper performer who showed similar form on the Flat without winning for Sir Mark Prescott. Not real short-term promise to glean from pair of hurdle runs for present yard and she's another likely type for handicaps on the back of this.

Form: 523-56

Non-Runners

Wolf Moon²

Weight: 11-8| Age: 5

T: B Pauling J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Rubber Ball (1/2), Ballyvango (10/3), Wolf Moon (4/1), Desert Halo (10/1), Solid Silver (12/1), Watching Over You (14/1), King Of Thieves (16/1), Nathanael Greene (25/1), Shes All Pride (100/1), Uncertain Terms (150/1), Dontuforgetaboutme (300/1)

RUBBER BALL built on his hurdles debut effort when finishing a good third in a Huntingdon maiden 23 days ago and, with further progress anticipated, he shades the vote. Ballyvango has run to a similar level and he's a threat. Wolf Moon, who finished a good second at Huntingdon on Thursday, would be of definite interest if lining up and hurdles-debutant Watching Over You also needs a market check on debut for Olly Murphy.