Mitie Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle 2011

1.55 Ascot

Mitie Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £17,085

Advice: 1 pt win Moltof (15/8 Stan James, Paddy Power)

 

Molotof: Showed useful form when runner – up on both starts in French juvenile hurdles; Made pleasing debut when second to Zarkandar at Kempton and travelled well in Triumph before run flattened out; Unbeaten since, winning easily at Wincanton before landing Listed event at Haydock (may have had to work harder than expected but slow pace wouldn’t have helped); Should go well here.

Peckhamecho: Useful in bumpers (second in Newbury Grade 2 after winning well at Warwick) and looked not to stay on debut in decent race at Cheltenham; Since won twice in far weaker company, pulling his way to front before outclassing rivals; This harder and must settle better but still of interest.

Hazy Tom: Unbeaten in four starts under rules, and has had the form of both promising hurdles wins boosted since by runner ups, the Wetherby second Sea O fThunder falling at the last in Cheltenham Grade 2; Should take the beating.

Banyan Tree: Tice a winner over hurdles but still not reached the height of this flat form (once rated 93 for Aidan O’Brien) and one of those wins in claiming company (last time); This should be too good for him.

Bin End: Disappointing on flat (back problems had caused him trouble) and back to best form since when running out ready winner, especially for a 25/1 shot; Needs much more here.

Nazreef: Poor on recent hurdling debut and this far harder than that task, so left.

Heather Royal: Didn’t live upto expectations set but her first impressive win but fairly scooted in on hurdling debut and that form since been well represented; Hadn’t gone far enough to know how she’d have done when unseating there last time but still, this far tougher and passed over.

 

The Strawberry One: Only just denied for a ninth hurdle win when unable to give away the weight at Market Rasen in the summer (had come no worse than second in 6 summer jumping runs); Since shown up a little in Grade 2 company and needs much more here.

VERDICT: Given the subsequent form boosts that he’s received, it’s not hard to see Hazy Tom being one of the most popular bets of the day here. It might be worth taking a chance that MOLTOF can given him 3lbs and a beating based on his two wins this season, along with the promise he showed in two top juvenile events last season.