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Spa Novices' Hurdle 2023 Racecard
TUESDAY
14
MARCH
SUPREME NOVICES' HURDLE
ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY
FESTIVAL HANDICAP CHASE
CHAMPION HURDLE
DAVID NICHOLSON MARES' HURDLE
FRED WINTER JUVENILE HURDLE
NATIONAL HUNT CHALLENGE CUP
WEDNESDAY
15
MARCH
BARING BINGHAM NOVICES' HURDLE
BROARDWAY NOVICES' CHASE
CORAL CUP HURDLE
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
CROSS COUNTRY CHASE
GRAND ANNUAL CHALLENGE CUP CHASE
CHAMPION BUMPER
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2:50 Fri 17 Mar SPA NOVICES' HURDLE Distance: 23f 213y Age: 5yo + Prize: £135,000 Going: Gd/Sft
Very open by Grade 1 standards but there's an air of star quality surrounding CORBETTS CROSS, who has been acquired by J.P.McManus having taken another step forward when scoring on debut for Emmet Mullins at Naas last month. There will be no hiding place regarding stamina here and, with that in mind, Three Card Brag is a massive threat, while those looking for one at longer odds, we certainly haven't seen the best of Stay Away Fay. |
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Analyst's Verdict| ENTRY FORM |
SILKS | HORSE JOCKEY & TRAINER |
AGE WGT |
ODDS | |
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1 |
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1. AFFORDALE FURY (IRE) J: Sam Ewing T: Noel Meade, Ireland |
5 11-7 |
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| Successful on sole outing in points/bumpers and also made a winning hurdling debut at Galway in late October. Still held a narrow advantage when taking a tired-looking fall at the last at Navan next time but was found out in better company at Naas 6 weeks later and looks set for another struggle. | |||||
2 |
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2. CHIANTI CLASSICO (IRE) J: David Bass T: Kim Bailey |
6 11-7 |
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| Bumper winner who has passed each of 3 tests over hurdles so far with flying colours, just about to assert when left clear 2 out at Wincanton in January (21.4f). 3m could unluck more but this is clearly a different ask. | |||||
3 |
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3. CORBETTS CROSS (IRE) J: M. P. Walsh T: Emmet Mullins, Ireland |
6 11-7 |
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| Highly-promising sort who improved again when completing hat-trick in Grade 2 company at Naas on first start for Emmet Mullins last month (2m). Very versatile regards trip and his limit hasn't been reached so he demands a place high on the shortlist having been purchased by leading owner since. | |||||
4 |
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4. DAWN RISING (IRE) J: L. P. Dempsey T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland |
6 11-7 |
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| Useful winner at 12f on Flat. Won 4-runner Monksfield Novices' Hurdle at Navan (20f, heavy, 10/1) 42 days ago by 8 lengths from American Mike, suited by way race developed. Shaped like a stayer when third to Champ Kiely in Lawlor's of Naas Novices' Hurdle last time, again doing best work late on. | |||||
5 |
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5. EMBASSY GARDENS J: P. Townend T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
7 11-7 |
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| Fairly useful bumper winner who took hurdles form to a whole new level when landing the odds by 35 lengths in 5-runner novice at Thurles (23f) in January. Will stay 3m and further progress very much on the cards so very dangerous to underestimate. | |||||
6 |
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6. FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU (FR) J: Jordan Colin Gainford T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
8 11-7 |
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| Bumper winner who went from strength to strength during latter part of 2022, completing the hat-trick with a smooth success at Limerick in December (23f). Very professional type but may lack the scope of a couple of these. | |||||
7 |
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7. HIDDENVALLEY LAKE (IRE) J: Rachael Blackmore T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
6 11-7 |
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| Big-field maiden winner on debut at Naas in November and took step up in class in his stride when following up at Cork a month later (Grade 3). Unable to concede 6 lb to a stablemate at Clonmel but it was another very good effort on the figures. Stamina for 3m assured. Tongue tie on first time. | |||||
8 |
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8. IDALKO BIHOUE (FR) J: Jordan Nailor T: Nigel Twiston-Davies |
5 11-7 |
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| From family of fairly useful chaser Bagad Bihoue and finished alone on his sole start in Irish points. Easy winner in the mud at Worcester in October and cracking effort in defeat upped to Grade 1 level in the Challow. That gruelling race may have left a mark given heavy defeat in the River Don. | |||||
9 |
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9. LETSBECLEARABOUTIT (IRE) J: Keith Donoghue T: Gavin Patrick Cromwell, Ireland |
8 11-7 |
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| Talented triple-bumper winner who made the most of a big drop in grade when landing the odds in maiden company at Punchestown in January (24.5f). Dominating this field a completely different ask but he's useful. | |||||
10 |
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10. MONTY'S STAR (IRE) J: Sean Flanagan T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
6 11-7 |
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| Promise in points and a bumper and very encouraging start over hurdles when second to Shanbally Kid at Navan in January. Upped in class and trip and that didn't prevent him going one place better in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novices' Hurdle at Clonmel, fending off stablemate Hiddenvalley Lake. | |||||
11 |
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11. ROCK MY WAY (IRE) J: Nick Scholfield T: Syd Hosie |
5 11-7 |
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| Winning Irish pointer who was unconsidered in the market (66/1) but looked a useful prospect nonetheless when runner-up on hurdling debut here (20.3f) on New Year's Day, pulling miles clear of the remainder. Still looked green when going one place better over same C&D and limit not yet reached. | |||||
12 |
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12. SAINT PALAIS (FR) J: Harry Bannister T: Richard Bandey |
6 11-7 |
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| Progressed into a smart chaser last season, winning 4 of his 5 starts. However, proved bitterly disappointing returned to hurdling after 8 months off at Bangor in November. Was in process of showing more at Haydock but he took a heavy fall at the last. | |||||
13 |
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13. SANDOR CLEGANE (IRE) J: S. F. O'Keeffe T: Paul Nolan, Ireland |
6 11-7 |
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| Useful bumper winner who opened his account over hurdles in stylish fashion in Punchestown maiden (21.7f) in November. Upped to Grade 1 company and ran a fine race when third in Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novices' Hurdle at Leopardstown. Wouldn't be as strong a stayer as some of these. | |||||
14 |
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14. SEABANK BISTRO (IRE) J: Mr P. W. Mullins T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
6 11-7 |
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| Naas bumper winner (fourth in the Champion Bumper) who landed the odds in a maiden hurdle on the same card a year later in January. Longer trip may bring about further progress. | |||||
15 |
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15. SEARCH FOR GLORY (IRE) J: Davy Russell T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
6 11-7 |
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| Landed the odds in a bumper at Fairyhouse on Rules debut in November and shaped like a stayer when third on hurdles bow at Leopardstown a month later. Work to do with Monty's Star and Hiddenvalley Lake on Clonmel running last month. | |||||
16 |
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16. SHANBALLY KID (IRE) J: D. E. Mullins T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
6 11-7 |
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| Fair bumper winner who confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut with victory in 14-runner maiden at Navan (20f) in January, well suited by longer trip. This is a big step up in class but he's in excellent hands and open to further progress. | |||||
17 |
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17. STAY AWAY FAY (IRE) J: Harry Cobden T: Paul Nicholls |
6 11-7 |
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| Underwent breathing surgery after winning his only outing in Irish points and made the perfect start over hurdles at Newbury (20.5f) in November. 9 weeks on he emerged with plenty of credit when second in the River Don and stamina is clearly his forte. | |||||
18 |
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18. THOMAS MOR (IRE) J: Adam Wedge T: David Pipe |
6 11-7 |
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| Took 5 goes to get off the mark in points but looked an above-average staying prospect during the autumn, winning at Worcester and Wincanton. Found the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury too much but that race worked out very well and he was well on top upped to 23.5f when adding to his tally at Ascot. | |||||
19 |
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19. THREE CARD BRAG (IRE) J: A. P. Heskin T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
6 11-7 |
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| Bumper winner on his sole start in that sphere and he responded well when doubling hurdles tally in novice company at Fairyhouse in January. Looks all about stamina so 3m is expected to unluck more for his top yard. Massive player. | |||||
20 |
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20. WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT (IRE) J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Nigel Twiston-Davies |
6 11-7 |
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| Point/useful bumper winner who shaped with plenty of encouragement thrown in at the deep end on hurdling debut and saw off Rock My Way when getting off the mark here (20.2f) on New Year's Day. Can't have been right given bow easily he was brushed aside, albeit in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown. | |||||
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Betting Forecast : 9/2 4.5 THREE CARD BRAG, 5/1 5 CORBETTS CROSS, 9/1 9 EMBASSY GARDENS, 11/1 11 HIDDENVALLEY LAKE, 16/1 16 SEABANK BISTRO, 18/1 18 SANDOR CLEGANE, 18/1 18 MONTY's STAR, 20/1 20 FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU, 22/1 22 LETSBECLEARABOUTIT, 25/1 25 SHANBALLY KID, 25/1 25 SEARCH FOR GLORY, 28/1 28 DAWN RISING, 28/1 28 STAY AWAY FAY, 28/1 28 ROCK MY WAY, 50/1 50 WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT, 50/1 50 THOMAS MOR, 66/1 66 CHIANTI CLASSICO, 66/1 66 AFFORDALE FURY, 150/1 150 SAINT PALAIS, 200/1 200 IDALKO BIHOUE |
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