Tolworth Hurdle 2011

2.35 Sandown

32Red Hurdle (Registered As The Tolworth Hurdle) (Grade 1 Novices' Hurdle) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £17,085

Advice: 1 pt win Colour Squadron (9/4 general)

Captain Conan: Makes his British debut after facile 15 length win in France, although that flatters him given that his main challenger fell at the last; Form of that race not worked out so well in behind and this a tough task after nearly 200 days off.

Colour Squadron: Facile bumper winner who made an excellent debut behind It’s A Gimme in good looking novice hurdle at Newbury and followed up with gritty win over highly regarded Montbazon (below par but useful Ericht left quite a way behind in third) at same venue last time out; That makes it 2-2 in soft conditions and staying power should see him in good stead.  

High Storm: Well exposed already, having had eight races over hurdles; Career best by some way when second to Darlan at Cheltenham last time out but already finished well behind Prospect Wells and disappointed on soft two starts ago.

Magnifique Etoile: Better with experience over hurdles and then deeply impressive when winning three times this season, twice coming home in his own time at Strartford and Bangor; Worth a try in this grade for sure but ground a possible concern and would need to be more fluent in jumping; Still respected.

Prospect Wells: Prospect Wells: Decent flat horse (rated 99 on the level and that for a horse in decline); Made impressive winning debut having been keen throughout at Chepstow, before following that up with close Grade 2 second to Steps To Freedom and impressive Newbury win; Heavily backed for Ladbroke but combination of slow pace, soft ground, and being further back than ideal all cost him there; Should once again be hard to beat although soft ground would not be ideal.

VERDICT: A fascinating renewal of a race which has produced a festival winner in Noland and several other useful types considering it was abandoned for two years running before 2011. Prospect Wells is sure to be a warm order for a yard that dominates the race but soft ground would once again be a worry for him and in a race which could easily be four runners, there are enough question marks to take him on with COLOUR SQUADRON, who showed an impressive attitude when getting the better of a highly rated hurdling debutant at Newbury. Presumably he’ll be ridden from the front and with soft ground no problem, he’s expected to be hard to pass. Captain Conan might need the run on his UK debut and Magnifique Etoile could be a major contender if putting in a good ground of jumping, with the caveat that his trainer will decide on the ground for him.