13:20 Cheltenham

Wednesday 12 March 2025

All13:2014:0014:4015:2016:0016:4017:20

Turners Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:21 | Winning time: 5m 11.07s

Final Demand³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 154| D

6/4

Won sole outing in points and looks a hugely exciting novice hurdler having won both starts in impressive fashion, including Grade 1 at Leopardstown (22.2f, good to soft) last time. Top-class prospect who's open to oodles more improvement.

Form: 1-11

Forty Coats⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 131| BF

150/1

Successful in his sole bumper and fairly useful form when runner-up all 3 starts in maiden hurdles, including when going down narrowly in 4-runner event at Navan (20f) on most recent outing. Very hard to make a case for at this level, though.

Form: 11-222

Kaid D'authie³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 138

40/1

Gained compensation for his Navan mishap (fell fifth) when winning a Punchestown maiden (19.8f) under a hands-and-heels ride in December. Still in need of the experience hiked in class when only fifth of 10 there last time and remains with potential up in trip.

Form: 5/F14

Kappa Jy Pyke⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins

100/1

French bumper winner for D. Satalia who confirmed the promise of his hurdling/stable debut when winning 21-runner maiden at Punchestown (16.9f) in January, around a length up when left clear last. Has a lot more on his plate now, but open to further improvement.

Form: 1-21

Kel Histoire⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins

33/1

Successful on sole outing in bumpers for Alain Couetil and made a smooth transition to hurdling when running out an easy winner of a Cork maiden (16.2f) 13 months later. Shaped well in defeat in Grade 2 Moscow Flyer at Punchestown subsequently and open to further improvement.

Form: 1-12

Kiss Will⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr P W Mullins| T: W P Mullins

50/1

Runner-up sole outing in bumpers in France for Francois Nicolle and created a huge impression starting out for powerful connections when making all in 13-runner maiden at Fairyhouse (16.2f) 16 months on. This is a big step up but looks sure to go on to better things.

Form: 2-1

Potters Charm^t1⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 145| BF| CD

12/1

Won sole outing in bumpers and first 4 starts over hurdles, including Grade 1 Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree (17f, soft) in December. Possibly found fifth run in 4 months one too many when no match for reopposing Sixmilebridge on most recent outing and better judged on previous form. Tongue tied.

Form: 1-11112

Sixmilebridge^t⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: F O'Brien| OR: 142| C| D

16/1

£100,000 buy after finishing runner-up completed start in Irish points and looked above average in bumpers. Failed to justify favouritism on 2m Stratford hurdle debut but has won all 3 starts since, showing marked improvement in Grade 2 here (20.2f) last month. Likely to go on improving.

Form: 10-2111

Supersundae^h³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143| D

50/1

Completed a simple task back down from Grade 1 company at Ballinrobe in May and ran well when 8 lengths second of 8 to The Yellow Clay in Lawlor's of Naas Novices' Hurdle at Naas (20f, heavy) 8 months on. However, was pulled up in Grade 1 won by Final Demand on most recent outing. Hard to fancy.

Form: 72/7-12P

The New Lion⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 147| D

3/1

Bred to stay well but showed no shortage of speed when winning a Market Rasen bumper on debut in April and has gone from strength to strength over hurdles, maintaining his unbeaten record with a most striking success in Grade 1 Challow at Newbury on most recent outing. Top-class prospect

Form: 1-111

The Yellow Clay⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 149

5/2

Smart in bumpers and has already reached a similar level over hurdles, completing 4-timer in Grade 1 Lawlor's of Naas Novices' Hurdle (20f, heavy) in January. That performance is supported by the timefigure and he's open to even more improvement.

Form: 6-21111

Forecasts

Final Demand (6/4), The Yellow Clay (5/2), The New Lion (3/1), Potters Charm (12/1), Sixmilebridge (16/1), Kel Histoire (33/1), Kaid D'authie (40/1), Kiss Will (50/1), Supersundae (50/1), Kappa Jy Pyke (100/1), Forty Coats (150/1)

A thrilling renewal of this Grade 1 featuring 6 for Mullins and a clash between the potentially top-class pair FINAL DEMAND and The New Lion. The latter was bought by JP McManus for an undisclosed sum after a most striking success in the Challow at Newbury, but it was a performance more about style than substance, whereas the former's wide-margin win at Leopardstown is very much supported by the timefigure, which sways the vote in his favour. The Yellow Clay is also worthy of plenty of respect.