Adonis Juvenile Hurdle

1.55 Kempton

bettingsite.com Adonis Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (4YO only)

Winner £12,086

Pick: Molotof (win)

Maoi Chinn Tire: Sprang the shock of the season when running away with listed hurdle at 200/1 at beginning of season; Failed to really confirm that form when running at Cheltenham last time out and vulnerable here.

Tonic Mellysse: Well bred recruit from France (half-sister to five winners including useful 2m hurdler Hulysse Royal) who holds useful form (one race, one win over hurdles); Joined top jumps yard and showed plenty of promise when beating useful rival at Pau, so assumed one of main players.

First Fandango: Unbeaten in two juvenile races, and both useful contests at Ffos Las and Ayr respectably; Can expect a good showing here although his form has been let down and he’s now got something to prove.

Kazzene: Looked like a very useful horse when winning well contested juvenile hurdle here on King George day, showing a good attitude to win despite jumping poorly; Jumping problems again cost him when third behind Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hope Sprinter Sacre at Ffos Las and has a big task here again.

Kumbeshwar: Put up a cracking debut hurdling performance to win at Sandown, given that he made up 12 lengths on useful long time leader from three out, having made mistakes on the way round; Lost little in defeat behind two Triumph Hurdle hopes last time although he’s got to run at least as well again here.

Mr Muddle: Deserving winner last time (despite) having bumped into two very good types at Plumpton; Didn’t need to reproduce best to win at Folkestone latest and this looks too tough.

Aikiedeau: Interesting French recruit for the Stewart family and the Rowe’s and while he can improve from debut/hurdling fourth at Pau earlier this year, he was well beaten by Tonic Mellysse and made jumping errors.

Lava Lamp: Won twice on the flat in staying contests fro Geoff Harker before moving for £20K to this yard; Pitched in at deep end here.

Moltof: Showed useful form when runner – up on both starts in French juvenile hurdles; Not sure what improvement can be expected for move to UK but comes from very strong yard for juveniles and is well treated at weights; May just be the pick.

Zarkanadar: The biggest talking horse in the field, being a half brother to unbeaten Arc winner Zarkava; Showed plenty of talent when finishing first, second and third on only three flat starts in France and major player here if properly ready (every chance; Only three weeks to Festival).

VERDICT: A truly compelling race in store, with a whole host of talking horses making their debut, the most anticipated of which is Zarkandar, a half brother to Zarkava. The concession of 11lbs that MOLOTOF gets from anticipated favourite Tonic Mellysse may make all the difference for the jockey/trainer combination that won this last year with an identical type.