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Spa Novices' Hurdle 2022 Racecard
TUESDAY
15
MARCH
SUPREME NOVICES' HURDLE
ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY
FESTIVAL HANDICAP CHASE
CHAMPION HURDLE
DAVID NICHOLSON MARES' HURDLE
BOODLES JUVENILE HURDLE
NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
WEDNESDAY
16
MARCH
BALLYMORE NOVICES' HURDLE
FESTIVAL NOVICES' CHASE
CORAL CUP
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
CROSS COUNTRY CHASE
GRAND ANNUAL CHASE
CHAMPION BUMPER
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2:50 Fri 18 Mar SPA NOVICES' HURDLE Distance: 23f 213y Age: 4yo + Prize: £139,825 Going: Gd/Sft
GINTO made light of the further step up in grade when completing the hat-trick in a Grade 1 at Naas in January, maintaining his unbeaten record over hurdles in the process. There's a good chance that this longer trip will bring out further improvement, so he makes plenty of appeal. Hillcrest and Minella Cocooner are both highly progressive so rate the main threats. |
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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. BALLYGRIFINCOTTAGE (IRE) J: Harry Skelton T: Dan Skelton |
7 11-8 |
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| Won all 3 completed starts in points and made a positive start under Rules when third in Grade 2 here. Comfortably went one better in Lingfield novice but this a tall order. | |||||
2 |
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2. BARDENSTOWN LAD J: Sean Bowen T: John McConnell, Ireland |
7 11-8 |
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| Bumper winner who has won 4 of his 5 starts over hurdles, notably when defying penalties in novices over C&D and Musselburgh last 2 starts. Possesses the requisite stamina and no forlorn hope. | |||||
3 |
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3. BRORSON (IRE) J: Jamie Moore T: Martin Keighley |
6 11-8 |
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| Progressive, bagging Catterick maiden and Southwell handicap before excellent third at Wincanton last month. Not up to this level, however. | |||||
4 |
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4. CLASSIC GETAWAY (IRE) J: Mr P. W. Mullins T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
6 11-8 |
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| £570,000 purchase on back of point success. Landed odds in bumper and off mark at second attempt over hurdles in maiden at Punchestown. Remains with potential but taking a huge step up in class. | |||||
5 |
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5. ERIC BLOODAXE (IRE) J: J. J. Slevin T: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, Ireland |
7 11-8 |
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| Resumed winning ways upped in trip in Grade 2 hurdle at Limerick (23f, heavy) but tailed off in Grade 1 at Leopardstown since. | |||||
6 |
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6. FALCON EIGHT (IRE) J: M. P. Walsh T: D. K. Weld, Ireland |
7 11-8 |
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| Smart stayer on the level (Chester Cup winner) who left hurdles debut behind when winning Thurles maiden (23f), jumping better. Much more needed here but has loads of potential given ability on Flat. | |||||
7 |
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7. GINTO (FR) J: J. W. Kennedy T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
6 11-8 |
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| Made light of the further step up in grade to complete the hat-trick in Grade 1 at Naas in January, in doing so maintaining an unbeaten record over hurdles. Likeable type and more to come up in trip. | |||||
8 |
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8. GOOD TIME JONNY (IRE) J: K. C. Sexton T: A. J. Martin, Ireland |
7 11-8 |
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| Form over hurdles has really taken off since switched to handicaps, winning 3 of his last 4 starts, notably when beating 23 rivals at Leopardstown last month. Not to be underestimated at this level. | |||||
9 |
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9. GREEN BOOK (FR) J: Charlie Deutsch T: Venetia Williams |
5 11-8 |
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| Improver on Flat in 2021 and has continued on the up switched to hurdles, bagging third win in 3m Sandown handicap. Probably found Haydock coming too soon but flying too high in all likelihood here. | |||||
10 |
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10. HILLCREST (IRE) J: Richard Patrick T: Henry Daly |
7 11-8 |
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| Big chasing type who is unbeaten when completing over hurdles, galloping on strongly on first crack at 3m in Grade 2 Prestige Novices' Hurdle at Haydock. That form puts him right in the mix. | |||||
11 |
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11. IDAS BOY (IRE) J: Sean Flanagan T: Noel Meade, Ireland |
8 11-8 |
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| Struggled when upped to a Grade 3 at Cork and only second in novice at Thurles since. Firmly up against it. | |||||
12 |
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12. MAHLER MISSION (IRE) J: James Bowen T: John McConnell, Ireland |
6 11-8 |
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| Showed improved form to open account over hurdles at third attempt in Sedgefield maiden. Took another big step forward when following up in Grade 2 at Doncaster. More needed again. | |||||
13 |
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13. MINELLA COCOONER (IRE) J: P. Townend T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
6 11-8 |
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| Bumper winner who confirmed hurdling debut promise when winning 16-runner maiden at Navan and looked a stayer of some potential when following up in Grade 1 at Leopardstown (22.2f). Shortlisted. | |||||
14 |
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14. RAMILLIES (IRE) J: B. J. Cooper T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
7 11-8 |
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| Mixed record in bumpers (often finished weakly) but has made a positive start over hurdles, not hard pressed when landing odds in maiden at Punchestown. Mettle will be tested in this, though. | |||||
15 |
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15. SHANTREUSSE (IRE) J: Rachael Blackmore T: Henry de Bromhead, Ireland |
6 11-8 |
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| Confirmed promise of hurdling debut when winning novice at Cork and booked his ticket for this when following up in Grade 3 at Clonmel (3m, heavy) last month. Stamina clearly his strong suit. | |||||
16 |
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16. STAG HORN J: Nick Scholfield T: Archie Watson |
5 11-8 |
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| Smart stayer on the Flat (good record in the mud) who impressed when winning both starts over hurdles, notably Grade 2 at Warwick. Potentially lots more to come from him in this game now up in trip. | |||||
17 |
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17. THE NICE GUY (IRE) J: S. F. O'Keeffe T: W. P. Mullins, Ireland |
7 11-8 |
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| Useful form when winning both starts in bumpers and maintained his unbeaten record in workmanlike fashion switched to hurdles in Naas maiden (19f). Sure to improve and will stay. | |||||
18 |
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18. THE REAL WHACKER (IRE) J: Sam Twiston-Davies T: Ann Duffield |
6 11-8 |
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| Left hurdling debut form behind to run out a surprise winner of maiden at Carlisle. Took another big step forward when second to Mahler Mission in Grade 2 at Doncaster. Plenty to find here, though. | |||||
19 |
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19. WHERE IT ALL BEGAN (IRE) J: A. P. Heskin T: Gordon Elliott, Ireland |
6 11-8 |
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| Runner-up 3 times (bumper first 2 occasions) before coming good in 21.5f Tramore maiden. No match for Bardenstown Lad at Musselburgh since, however, and looks out of his depth here. | |||||
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Betting Forecast : 10/3 3.33 GINTO, 4/1 4 HILLCREST, 9/1 9 MINELLA COCOONER, 12/1 12 THE NICE GUY, 16/1 16 SHANTREUSSE, 18/1 18 STAG HORN, 18/1 18 BARDENSTOWN LAD, 20/1 20 GOOD TIME JONNY, 25/1 25 RAMILLIES, 28/1 28 FALCON EIGHT, 28/1 28 CLASSIC GETAWAY, 33/1 33 BALLYGRIFINCOTTAGE, 40/1 40 MAHLER MISSION, 50/1 50 ERIC BLOODAXE, 80/1 80 IDAS BOY, 80/1 80 THE REAL WHACKER, 100/1 100 GREEN BOOK, 100/1 100 BRORSON, 300/1 300 WHERE IT ALL BEGAN |
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