2.25 Cheltenham
Court Minstrel: Good bumper form (fourth behind The New One
at Aintree last year) and made excellent start to life over hurdles when easily
beating subsequent winner The Romford Pele with ease here in October; Should go
well.
Dodging Bullets: Promising hurdling debut when second to
Grumeti at Kempton and even better when travelling like one of the best in the
race in the Triumph, but failing to get up the hill having pulled hard all the
way round; Could never get into the race having been badly hampered at Aintree
but that retained his novice status and took good vantage when taking condition’s
hurdle here on comeback (at one time looked in trouble but drew away); Big
chance here and the one to beat.
Magic Spear: Looked useful when fairly running away with
Killarney maiden hurdle in September but well held when stepping up into novice
company; Maybe that 2 miles and better ground than heavy suits him but others preferred
here.
Run With The Wind: More experience than most already and established
as useful, with three wins over hurdles (minor event at Ballinrobe in May and
novices at Killarney and Listowel) but more exposed than most.
Ted Dolly: Looks exposed on everything we’ve seen so far despite
her convincing win over Pique Sous two starts back; Others preferred.
Duke Of Navan: Strolled home by 9 lengths in maiden hurdle
at Newcastle on seasonal debut in one of the more impressive performances seen
so far this season, but 16 lengths behind River Maigue last season in bumpers
and can’t expect he’ll be good enough here.
Tominator: Best of these on the flat by some way, winning
Northumberland Plate and then going onto run several times in high class
handicaps over staying trips; That talent saw him predictably coast home on
hurdling debut at Bangor, for all that his jumping has to improve.
River Maigue: Far took keen and inexperienced on bumper
debut when promising third to Royal Guardsman at Ascot and much better at Ayr
when winning tidily at backend of last season; Bright prospect for hurdles on
that evidence for all this is a stuff introduction.
Opus Energy Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Sharp
Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1)
(4YO plus)
Winner £14,238
Advice: 2 pts win Dodging Bullets (5/4 general), 1 pt each/way Dodging Bullets for Supreme Novice Hurdle (20/1 Coral, 16/1 general)
Court Minstrel: Good bumper form (fourth behind The New One
at Aintree last year) and made excellent start to life over hurdles when easily
beating subsequent winner The Romford Pele with ease here in October; Should go
well. Dodging Bullets: Promising hurdling debut when second to
Grumeti at Kempton and even better when travelling like one of the best in the
race in the Triumph, but failing to get up the hill having pulled hard all the
way round; Could never get into the race having been badly hampered at Aintree
but that retained his novice status and took good vantage when taking condition’s
hurdle here on comeback (at one time looked in trouble but drew away); Big
chance here and the one to beat. Magic Spear: Looked useful when fairly running away with
Killarney maiden hurdle in September but well held when stepping up into novice
company; Maybe that 2 miles and better ground than heavy suits him but others preferred
here. Run With The Wind: More experience than most already and established
as useful, with three wins over hurdles (minor event at Ballinrobe in May and
novices at Killarney and Listowel) but more exposed than most.Ted Dolly: Looks exposed on everything we’ve seen so far despite
her convincing win over Pique Sous two starts back; Others preferred. Duke Of Navan: Strolled home by 9 lengths in maiden hurdle
at Newcastle on seasonal debut in one of the more impressive performances seen
so far this season, but 16 lengths behind River Maigue last season in bumpers
and can’t expect he’ll be good enough here. Tominator: Best of these on the flat by some way, winning
Northumberland Plate and then going onto run several times in high class
handicaps over staying trips; That talent saw him predictably coast home on
hurdling debut at Bangor, for all that his jumping has to improve. River Maigue: Far took keen and inexperienced on bumper
debut when promising third to Royal Guardsman at Ascot and much better at Ayr
when winning tidily at backend of last season; Bright prospect for hurdles on
that evidence for all this is a stuff introduction.
VERDICT: There’s tons of promise in this field but DODGING
BULLETS already sets a very high standard on his Triumph fourth last year and
should come on for his encouraging win at the October meeting here where he looked
in trouble for some time but was never in danger of being beaten, and with his
proven form in the book, he can beat Tominator and River Maigue, for all Court
Minstrel should go well. Paul Nicholl's smart sort is also worth an interest at 20's for the Supreme Novice Hurdle, as that price could well fall should he win this (and we obviously think he will).
Good shout
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