12:30 Shanagh Bob
13:05 Hiaou
13:40 Martator
14:15 Duhallow Tommy
14:50 Stanley Pincombe
15:20 No Risk With Lou
15:50 San Pedro
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
The ones with experience don’t set an exacting standard so the Nicky Henderson-trained SHANAGH BOB is taken to make a winning start under Rules. He changed hands for £200,000 after winning his sole start in Irish points impressively and he has been found a weak-looking race to start his career under Rules in. All The Glory, who sets the form standard, is the likeliest to capitalise if the selection fluffs his lines.
HIAOU looked a good prospect when winning a maiden hurdle for Gordon Elliott in January 2022 but he didn’t quite progress as expected. He lost his way last season and didn’t take to fences on his final start. He has since moved to Chris Gordon, who does so well at this track, and he has been found a very winnable opportunity starting off in a seller. Saligo Bay is the one likely to capitalise should the selection fail to deliver.
MARTATOR was placed at Grade 1 level over hurdles when trained in France, but he didn’t really make an impact in handicaps for Venetia Williams last season. He mark dropped as a result, however, and for all he was well beaten on his return to action over fences at Aintree last month, that effort will have surely sharpened him up. If brushing up his jumping a little he is entitled to go close from a career-low mark for an in-form yard. General Medrano is feared most in his hat-trick bid but fair cases can be made for the other trio, also.
DUHALLOW TOMMY showed a fairly useful level of form in bumpers last season, opening his account in that sphere at the third attempt at Fontwell in January, and he offered something to work on when hitting the frame on his hurdling debut at Kempton in May. He was a little too fresh on his return from five months off at Fontwell last month but that run should have blown away the cobwebs and he remains with potential now handicapping. Afta Party looks the main danger on the back of a successful debut for this yard at Newton Abbot.
STANLEY PINCOMBE was in good form reverted back to hurdles in the second half of last season, winning a handicap at Taunton from a mark of 92, and he bounced back to something like his best when runner-up on his return at Exeter last month. He bumped into one well ahead of his mark on that occasion and, though the handicapper has raised Stanley Pincombe 3 lb, he has a good chance of going one place better. Ragamuffin was third over course and distance last time and is second choice ahead of Maroochi.
NO RISK WITH LOU was a winner in points and he also made a winning start under Rules in a maiden hurdle at Southwell last season. He looked a natural switched to fences when making a winning debut in this sphere at Huntingdon last month, putting in a pretty flawless display and having the race sewn up some way out. A subsequent 8 lb rise is fair and he should have even more to offer as a chaser. Kotmask was a consistent type over hurdles and still appeals as another who should do better in this sphere with a run now under his belt.
Having resumed winning ways at Fontwell in May, SAN PEDRO is entitled to have needed the run on his stable and seasonal debut last month, so he can take a step forward to gain a third success since the application of cheekpieces. Baby Sham could also improve from her recent run and is respected, with Dear Ralphy completing the shortlist.
12:30 Shanagh Bob
13:05 Hiaou
13:40 Martador
14:15 Duhallow Tommy
14:50 Stanley Pincombe
15:20 No Risk With Lou
15:50 San Pedro
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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