Tangle Teezer Top Novices' Hurdle 2012

2.00 Aintree

Tangle Teezer Top Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner £28,475

Advice: 1 pt each/way Vulcanite (10/1 Boylesports, Betfred), 3 pts Vulcanite to beat Captain Conan (4/5 Bet365), 2 pts win Darlan (6/4 general)

Absoutlyfantastic: : Looked like a real prospect when winning his bumper in good style and displayed a good attitude win again on his hurdles debut; Bumped into a very useful sort when second and well beaten next time out and since well beaten in Cheltenham Grade 2 and then pulled up last time; This ground suits but needs more.

Agent Archie: Useful on the flat (rated 88) and has impressed with two wins, pushing side subsequent winner Ingleby Sprit on his debut at Ludlow before winning well under penalty at Newcastle; Well held in Supreme but feeling that this track’s going to play to his strengths more so not discounted.

Captain Conan: : Brought to Britain after facile 15 length win in France and won Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle on first start for over 200 days, being helped in no uncertain terms by second literally throwing race away; Dissapointed in Deloitte since and beaten at Kelso (albeit giving weight) so has something to prove here.

Darlan: Unbeaten in four before his eye-catching effort when taking heavy fall at Newbury in Totesport Trophy (mark of 148; Hadn’t been asked yet, looked full of running);Answered questions about his effort off the bridle when fast finishing second at Cheltenham in the Supreme Novice Hurdle, having been sent wide around home turn; 31 days might be enough for him to recover and deserves major respect with his best performances before Cheltenham coming on flat tracks.

North Cape: Miles behind Prospect Wells on second start before improved effort when second at Newbury last time; Looks likely to be outclassed.

Oscara Dara: Second to useful stablemate Mono Man after bolting up on AW for Alan Fleming; Since moved to Henderson stable and looked ready for Graded company when bolting up at Sandown  on his one and only start this season; Deserves serious respect.

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; Tolworth disappointment best forgotten and chance based on Cheltenham run. 

Right Step: As good as any in this field on the flat, notably rated 11 after his fourth in the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot; Only the one start over hurdles but did it well when winning at Kempton  and sure to be a bit better for that here; This a steep step up in class but deserves respect.

Seventh Sky: Won twice up to 1½m on Flat in Germany and promise on Ffos Las hurdling debut but that a level below this and found race coming too soon last time; Others preffered.

Theatre Guide: Has some very useful bumper form, as shown by his 2 length defeat of Magnifique Etoile at Chepstow before his Fairyhouse bumper second; Never settled here on seasonal debut but much better when running out a ready winner at Wincanton and another who deserves respect.

Toughness Danon: Hard to fancy on hurdling debut with little progression from his flat form in Germany. 

Vulcanite: Only tenth in the Supreme novice hurdle but was going as well as anything coming around the turn only to find the hill too hard to climb having pulled his way throughought the contest; Should be much better suited around this track and only 1^st and fifth from said race here today, so has to come into the reckoning.

VERDICT: Ex flat horses have won seven of the last nine renewals and VULCANITE, who went so well in the Supreme Novice Hurdle  before flattening out up the hill, appeals here with the flatter track and potentially stronger pace likely to give him a big chance of reversing form with the fifth from that race in Prospect Wells, and second DARLAN, who appeals as a win saver given that he’s the standout on form and was meant to be a flat track horse before Cheltenham, so his chances around here with an extra week to recover from a hard race at Cheltenham seem apparent. Many here are worthy of a second look, including Theatre Guide, Oscara Dara and Right Step.