Juvenile hurdling returns to Great Britain Today with Stratford hosting its third, and fourth, such contests this season. Generally speaking, field sizes for juvenile hurdles held during August are the third lowest on the calendar, with the mean of 9.76 greater than only June and July. However, due to a gap of over three weeks in the division, prolonged by Fontwell's abandonment, a glut of entries were made for this contest with twenty-two runners standing their ground. As a result, Stratford's race has become the first juvenile hurdle in Britain to be split since the 16th of October 2019 when Lady Shanawell and Maria Magdalena won a division apiece at Wetherby.
Stratford's juvenile hurdles, the majority of which take place during the summer, are generally less competitive than the standard contest in the division with the average winner's seasonal RPR of 112.72 being a near half-stone below par. Nevertheless, good juveniles have trod The Bard's boards and this particular race, last held in 2015, was taken that year by subsequent Triumph fifth Leoncavallo, while 2008 winner Simarian would win and place at Cheltenham in the following months. While Langafel and Sacre Pierre were not amongst the entries who stood their ground here, the two divisions each have enough intriguing runners to make both races up to scratch. The first division's experienced runners are headed by dual winner Scrappy Jack and course and distance placed Fred Bear, while Dan Skelton, Colin Tizzard and Neil King are represented among the flat recruits. Half an hour later, Britain's leading juvenile Caramelised should be kept honest by representatives of Stuart Edmunds, Amy Murphy and Sophie Leech. Though a sharp, left-handed circuit, dosage index figures from Stratford's juvenile hurdles indicate that stamina is a useful asset at the venue as the average winning DI of 1.11 is lower only at Cheltenham, Hexham and Chepstow. Jumping can be trickier than usual as the clear round rate of 95.20% is in the lower quarter of British and Irish racecourses, and that figure drops to 93.22% for hurdling debutants. Experience is also valuable around Stratford as newcomers have an impact value of 0.61 since 2004/05. The going was last reported to be Good, Good to Firm in places. It has been watered, although there is no rain forecast between now and flagfall.
DIVISION ONE
Scrappy Jack bg Bill Turner f1-0-0 (-) 0 j3-2-0 (113) 95 94
Epaulette (Compton Place){11}(2.00) 2/1 The Final Whistle 7th 2m Handicap Hurdle (100), Ludlow 2018
Posting an uninspired performance on his flat debut in early June, Scrappy Jack was beaten twenty lengths on his hurdling bow at Newton Abbot later that month. However, that was not a run without promise and he was able to get off the mark over that course and distance at the start of July. That was a race which appeared to fall apart for him, but while he opened at 12/1 in the ring ahead of his return there a fortnight later, he was half that price by flagfall. Though never travelling with great zest, he made steady progress through the field and jumped the last within a length of the leader. Similar to his previous win, he did not hit the front until near the finish, passing the line with a half-length lead over Fred Bear. Scrappy Jack hurdled adequately during his wins, with his rounds blemished only by sporadic skewing and steadying. However, although his latest victory came in a Class 3 contest, it was a weak event for its type and the form was not much stronger than his previous success. While Scrappy Jack can still hold his own at this level, and trainer Bill Turner has been in fair form as of late, the penalties should have a telling effect sooner rather than later.
Colden's Passion chg Colin Tizzard f7-0-0 (60) 68
Twilight Son (Shamardal){1-h}(1.32) 0.5 Gerry's Way 4th 2m 4yo Maiden Hurdle, Cork 2020
Compared to his usual strings, Colin Tizzard is seldom found in juvenile hurdles, although he fares well whenever he does partake. His runner to winner rate in the sphere is a healthy 35.71% with Third Intention and Padleyourowncanoe among his stronger representatives. Nevertheless, Colden's Passion will be a new venture in two regards as he will be the yard's first juvenile to appear during the summer, and the first to have been campaigned on the flat while residing at Venn Farm. Costing £47,000 at the Goffs Breeze Up last year, Colden's Passion has finished closer to last than first on all but the first of his seven outings. Though not disgraced in handicaps at Salisbury and Lingfield this year, his latest two outings have seen him beaten a total of sixty-three lengths while failing to beat a single rival home. He is set to be Twilight Son's first runner over hurdles and apart from being a respectable 16.1 hands tall, he does not have a promising profile for the discipline. Raced exclusively over six furlongs, the Haydock Sprint and Diamond Jubilee winner is a son of Kyllachy whose own record in the sphere is among the worst. The damline is quite tepid as half-brother Gerry's Way has shown only fair form, and the closest jumps winners are Fearless Falcon and Watchalike at 3/1. Most of the interest in Colden's Passion would derive from the novelty value as there is not enough substance to entertain real intrigue in this company, particularly as his most recent form has been poor.
Devious Dreamer chg Denis Quinn f13-1-2 (72) 77
Buratino (Refuse To Bend){19}(0.78) 3/2 High Kicker 4th 2m Maiden Hurdle, Ballinrobe 2018
One of two newcomers in the field with winning flat form, Devious Dreamer found the winners enclosure after winning a seven furlong handicap at Gowran in mid June off a mark of 65. Sent off the 7/4 favourite, he was able to dictate a steady pace and after kicking for home at the distance, was able to hold on by half-a-length. That form has not been matched in two subsequent outings and he has shown himself difficult to settle. Devious Dreamer has since left James Barrett to join Newmarket trainer Denis Quinn who has had one juvenile hurdle win from twenty-one attempts. Sire Buratino does not have the obvious qualities to succeed in the sphere, although his sole representative to date has been a winner. There is little encouragement on the distaff side however as the close relatives are best up to a mile, and the jumpers in close proximity were modest. The quality of Devious Dreamer's flat form reads well in the context of this race, but his profile is wanting in the context of this discipline.
Fred Bear bg Sheena West f4-0-0 (53) 52 j3-0-2 (105) 95 96
Kodi Bear (Barathea){16-c}(0.68) 2/1 Silk Affair 1st Fred Winter Juv HcH (G3,125), Cheltenham 2009
While no better than modest on the flat, there was enough in Fred Bear's profile to suggest he could do better over hurdles. Out of a full-sister to Fred Winter winner Silk Affair, trainer Sheena West boasts an outstanding improvement rate of 72.97%. During his first two two outings at Newton Abbot, he went some way to fulfilling this assertion as he followed a promising hurdling debut at the start of July with a second on his return to the venue a fortnight later. Last seen over today's course and distance twenty-five days ago, he began the race as 9/4 favourite from a morning show of 7/2. Sent straight into the lead from flagfall, Fred Bear raced freely for much of the contest, and while his hurdling improved between his first two outings, he was not quite so clean here. Along with steadying at a few hurdles, he also got in close to the first, fourth and sixth as well as having a slight tendency to wander on the approach. These flaws were not massively detrimental to his performance and though he conceded the lead shortly after the turn for home, proving no match for the winner, he still had upwards of nineteen lengths in hand over the remainder. This marked a new career best and although his official mark of 105 is harsh based on his actual accomplishments, he sets the standard over Scrappy Jack at the weights as well as having proven course form. Furthermore, while Sheena West has not been busy as of late, her record with juveniles at Stratford is a respectable with her seven runners collecting a win and four places at the venue.
Nayon bg Robert Eddery f5-0-0 (44) 38
Nayef (Singspiel){14-c}(1.00) 0.5 Virnon 1st 2m1f Handicap Chase (113), Market Rasen 2017
Beating just five of his forty-seven rivals during four outings for David Evans, Nayon's first run for Robert Eddery saw him beaten 120 lengths at Windsor seven weeks ago. There is a glimmer of hope in the pedigree as Nayef's winner/runner rate of 16.98% is solid, if just below average, and half-brother Virnon was a fairly useful chaser. Robert Eddery's sole win from eighteen in the divsion came when Isabella Liberty landed a plunge at Fakenham in October 2014. Similar shenanigans will be required here if Nayon is to make a winning hurdles bow.
Rhythmic Blues chg Michael Easterby f3-0-0 (63) 60
Bobby's Kitten (Exchange Rate){1-w}(3.00) 5/3 Papus 1st 4600m Grand Prix de Pau (80.0) Pau 1992
Set to be his trainer's first representative this term is Rhythmic Blues who has finished in the rear during three starts over a mile this year. Though his latest outing can be excused as the rider lost an iron, his alloted BHA mark of 63 was not enough to tempt a switch into handicap company. Bobby's Kitten has yet to be tested as a sire in the division, but his credentials are not the worst for an American bred. The damline offers no clues other than the appearance to top class French chaser Papus at 5/3. Michael Easterby does get winners in the sphere, although his winner/runner rate of 11.27 and improvement rate of 23.33% are modest, and just one from seventy scored first time.
Scots Gold grg Dan Skelton f6-0-0 (66) 70
Dark Angel (Duke Of Marmalade){8-f}(1.40) 3/2 Major Drive 1st 2m5f Handicap Hurdle (106), Sedgefield 2004
For four out of the past six seasons, Dan Skelton has had a strike rate in the division exceeding 20% and is already off the mark this term with Knotty Ash scoring at Market Rasen. His first time rate with flat recruits rated 62 and above is 29.63% and from seven runners in Stratford juveniles, he has two wins and four places. However, he has gone without a winner for five weeks and Knotty Ash disappointed second time out. Having his first outing here for Dan Skelton is Scots Gold, who despite failing to place in six starts for Tom Dascombe (whose former inmates have a solid record), was not entirely disgraced on the flat. His penultimate outing, which came in a ten furlong Nottingham handicap back in April, was probably his strongest to date as while he was outpaced at the distance in a slowly run affair, he did his best work late on and only narrowly failed to reach third at the post. The form of that race has also worked out well with those surrounding him finished first or second in subsequent outings. He was unable to match that form next time at Goodwood on the first of May and has not been seen since. Similar to Nayef, Dark Angel gets winners in the division, albeit taking less than his fair share. The damline is less encouraging as those that appear prior to the fairly useful Major Drive back at 3/2 were poor over jumps. Scots Gold has enough quality about him to be a threat in this company, and his trainer always warrants respect with this type. However, his unproven stamina for Stratford, near four month absence and the yard's recent form do temper enthusiasm.
Sir Taweel bg Neil King f8-1-0 (60) 64
Sir Prancealot (Duke Of Marmalade){8-f}(0.85) 3/1 Big Occasion 2nd Scottish Grand National (132), Ayr 2013
Neil King's most notable juvenile hurdlers would be Nordano and Lil Rockerfeller, but his overall winner/runner rate of 32.61% and improvement rate of 57.14% are also worthy of respect. His first runner in the division this term is set to be the other winning newcomer in the line-up, Sir Taweel. Showing little for Marco Botti as a two year old, Sir Taweel joined Mohamed Moubarak after fetching 8,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn Sale. Following a winter break and a gelding operation, he was able to get off the mark in a mile handicap at Windsor off 56 towards the end of April. Sent off at 28/1, he travelled strongly in the rear and after making good headway, took up the running at the furlong marker. He did not go on as he might have been expected and carried his head awkwardly under pressure, but did not look in danger of throwing the race away. Returning to Windsor at the end of May, he ran a very similar race off six pounds higher. However, after taking the lead inside the final furlong, he did not follow through with his effort dropped back into fourth in the dying strides. Sir Taweel was then beaten out of sight in a pair of handicaps in June and hung left last time out. He runs in the same colours for his hurdles debut, but while Mohamed Moubarak was able to get a tune out of Kentucky Hardboot last term, the owners have opted to send him to Neil King. Sir Prancealot has a record of just one winner from nine in the division, although they have tended to maintain their flat form and the granddam is a full-sister to the staying chaser Big Occasion, and half-sister to Dovecote winner Forgotten Voice. Overall, there are worse profiles than that of Sir Taweel, but his temperament can not go without question and for all his new trainer has a good record in the sphere, his juveniles do tend to improve with experience.
Aliomaana chf Milton Harris f5-0-2 (74) 75
Raven's Pass (Sea The Stars){8-f}(1.29) 2/1 Celestial Force 1st 2m1f Handicap Hurdle (120), Newton Abbot 2021
The highest rated flat horse in the contest, boosted by a favourable sex allowance, Aliomaana twice managed to grab second in a pair of all-weather maidens over ten furlongs at Wolverhampton and Chelmsford. At the former, she was no match for subsequent Oaks fourth Save A Forest, but did grab her second from a subsequent winner and was behind another subsequent winner in Percy's Pride at Chelmsford. That would be her last start for John Gosden before getting knocked down for 17,000 guineas at the Tattersalls July Sale. Thirteen former residents of Clarehaven Stables have gone on to win juvenile hurdles, although this comes at a rate of 14.44% and, illustrating how difficult it can be to squeeze out further improvement from such types, only 21.67% would better their flat form over hurdles. Nevertheless, Milton Harris was able to do just that last season when Pyramid Place won three times for the master of The Beeches. Milton Harris's overall record in the sphere is fair without being strong, but while his first time strike rate is just 4.65%, he does hold the distinction among British trainers of having the highest number of juvenile debutants without any falls or unseats at forty-three. Although she is a great-granddaughter of Arc runner-up Aquarelliste, Aliomaana is not unfeasibly bred for her new career as Raven's Pass gets his fair share of winning juveniles as well as having a good improvement rate of 61.11%. Her dam is also a full-sister to this summer's useful hurdler Celestial Force. Aliomaana's overall profile makes her an interesting recruit to the sphere, although given that her new trainer could be in better form, she may be one to come on for this outing.
Fiamette chf Jo Davis f3-0-0 (56) 48
Free Eagle (Dr Fong){13-e}(0.57) 2/1 High Stratos 3rd 2m4f Conditions Hurdle, Punchestown 2015
Finishing eighth on all three starts on the all weather this winter, Fiamette's mark of 56 exceeds her accomplishments. Leaving Anthony Carson for Jo Davis, she joins a trainer who has had a couple of winning juveniles, although none of her twelve with official marks improved on their flat form. Free Eagle is a positive as he enjoyed three winners from his first crop, and the damline has several winning jumpers nearby in High Stratos (2/1), Poet (2/1), Vanishing Point (2/2) and Alum Bay (3/1). However, while Fiamette would have the potential to better her flat showings, there is still a large gap between herself and several of these.
Lanika chf Gary Brown f17-0-3 (45) 57
Outstrip (Dansili){22-a}(3.00) 3/1 Danking 6th 2m2½f Novices' Hurdle, Stratford 2021
The most experienced runner in this line-up, seventeen race maiden Lanika appears to be exposed as plating class. While she has placed at twelve furlongs, those were in slowly run affairs. Former inmates of Sylvester Kirk's have a good 25.81% winner runner rate and Gary Brown won this contest in 2012 with Hilali, although the aforementioned was some twenty pounds superior on the flat. Sire Outstrip is currently without a winner from two and the damline offers nothing for this sphere.
Strong prospects
1. Fred Bear
Reasonable prospects
2. Scrappy Jack
3. Scots Gold
4. Aliomaana
Feasible prospects
5. Sir Taweel
6. Colden's Passion
Moderate prospects
7. Devious Dreamer
8. Rhythmic Blues
Negligible prospects
9. Fiamette
10. Nayon
11. Lanika
DIVISION TWO
Caramelised bc Alan King f4-0-0 (73) 75 j1-1-0 (-) 106 105
Dansili (Cozzene){9-e}(1.67) 2/2 Lord Condi 1st 2m1½f Novices' Hurdle, Plumpton 2018
On top of being the winningmost trainer of juvenile hurdlers since 2004/05, Alan King has a winner to runner rate of 48.61% and an overall strike rate of 23.29%. His first time out rate was bolstered when Caramalised made a winning hurdles debut over this course and distance twenty-five days ago. A four race maiden for Richard Hannon, he had finished nearer last than first on all four outings and had shown himself a free running sort. Nevertheless, his rating of 73 was the highest BHA mark seen in the division to that point and he was sent off a steady 4/1 third favourite of eight. The concern over an inability to settle manifested in the contest itself as he pulled hard up to the point he was sent for home. Held up in touch from the outset, he moved to track the leaders going out onto the second circuit and travelled nicely to challenge for the lead entering the straight. Shaken up to take a length advantage on the approach to the last, it took no more than a hands and heels drive to quickly extend his lead and cross the line seven lengths to the good. Caramelised posted a safe round of jumping without being consistently fluent as he was slightly skewed at the first, big over the second, steep at the third, reached at the sixth and, while it did not cost him momentum, rather hopped over the final flight. Caramelised will need to settle better if he is to go up in grade, and as Alan King will almost certainly have stronger types for the coming season, the 40/1 currently offered for the Triumph Hurdle would make little appeal at this stage. Nevertheless, it was a pleasing debut performance overall and while his quirks might leave him vulnerable to a newcomer, he sets the clear standard of those with hurdles experience.
Aggagio bg Sophie Leech f7-2-2 (76) 79
Born To Sea (Verglas){16-a}(3.00) 3/1 Latest Dream 7th 2m½f Maiden Hurdle, Taunton 2009
https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/aggagio
Starting his career in France, Aggagio finished his career there with a valeur of 36.5, and an emphatic success in a Morlaix claimer. He was under the care of Jean-Claude Rouget whose exports have a winner runner rate of 37.84% in the division, although the improvement rate from their flat ratings stands at just 15.15%. After being claimed for €15,007, he joined Sophie Leech under whom he has since ran with credit in handicaps at Haydock and Chepstow. Despite only beating one rival home during those two outings, he was beaten by less than four lengths each time while looking relatively straight forward in the process. His new trainer has enjoyed some success in the division as four of her sixteen juveniles have been winners, and she has no falls or unseats from fifty-seven starts. However, she is another with a modest improvement rate, is yet to have a winning newcomer from fifteen attempts and is currently on the cold list. Born To Sea has a solid record in the sphere, but there are no decent jumpers to be found on the damline until Kazlian at 5/3. Aggagio has some class about him and his profile is not without merit. However the trainer's profile and the sparse damline are enough to temper enthusiasm at this juncture.
Crane bg Nicky Henderson f6-1-1 (72) 77 j1-0-0 (-) 68 66
Oasis Dream (Pivotal){6-e}(1.82) 3/2 Little Green 1st Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Fairyhouse 2011
Winning on the flat as a two-year-old for Michael Bell, Crane joined a leading trainer in Nicky Henderson for a new hurdling career which began over this course and distance late last month. After drifting from 9/4 to 3/1 in the morning, Crane was trimmed back into 11/4 to start the race as second favourite. However, while he was settled reasonably well and was in a good position behind the leaders, he was let down quite considerably by his jumping. Big and slow to get away from the first, he was slightly close to the second, steady and close at the third, and tight over the next three - the sixth he rather hopped over. Under pressure and losing ground from thereon, he was slow over the last and finished the race nearly forty lengths behind the winner. Poor jumping contributed to his undoing, although his stamina is also up for question and his being by Oasis Dream did not give great cause for optimism beforehand in any case. His representing Nicky Henderson will likely keep him of interest by default. However, it can be noted that none of the trainer's eight juveniles who finished outside of the front five first time out was able to score at the second time of asking, and there is no reason why he should bridge the gap with Caramelised on their previous meeting.
Gavin bg Joe Ponting f6-0-1 (50) 56
Bated Breath (Montjeu){16-c}(0.71) 2/1 Keys 2nd 2m1f Maiden Hurdle, Aintree 2011
Joe Ponting, who trained Dollydo to win a point-to-point at Tiverton when he was still at school, is set to have his first jumps runner under rules in Gavin. Formerly with Rod Millman, whose former charges have a respectable record in the sphere, Gavin showed nothing in his first three outings but was subject to a plunge on his handicap debut at Salisbury in late April. While the gamble went astray, he still posted a career best when third off 55. However, despite the gamble being repeated for his next outing, he ran disappointingly and his recent efforts have also seen the emergence of temperament issues. Sold for just 3,500 guineas at Tattersalls in July, there is a modicum of hope in the pedigree. Though Bated Breath's three juveniles have achieved little to date, winning jumpers Keys (2/1), Stanley Stanley (2/2) and Forto (3/1) appear on the damline and damsire Montjeu is a solid influence in the sphere. Nevertheless, while better might be expected during this new vocation, this would not be enough to create too much excitement in this company.
Gonna Go Viral brg Johnny Farrelly f4-0-0 (60) 58
Alhebayeb (Singspiel){16-a}(1.55) 2/2 Nina Candela 1st 3500m Handicap Hurdle (63,0), Enghien 2013
Since making his debut at Leopardstown in April, Gonna Go Viral has finished no closer than twenty-one lengths to the winner on four outings. His best effort came on his penultimate outing in a twelve furlong maiden at the same venue, but he was still fourteenth of eighteen having started at 400/1. New trainer Johnny Farrelly is still awaiting his first winner in the division after thirteen attempts, but the breeding offers some encouragement. Alhebayeb had two winners in his first crop last term, including the tough and promising Duffle Coat. Singspiel is a solid enough damsire in the sphere and cousin Nina Candela was a fairly useful hurdler in France. Gonna Go Viral may eventually find his level over hurdles, although this contest looks rather deep for him at this stage.
Prey For Glory bg Denis Quinn f9-0-5 (63) 70
Free Eagle (Shirocco){14-c}(0.64) 2/2 Mourad 2nd Champion 4YO Hurdle (G1), Punchestown 2009
The best bred runner across both divisions, Prey For Glory's pedigree would befit any serious juvenile hurdler. Sire Free Eagle, had his first crop last season which boasted three winners including the useful Coltor. Prey For Glory's cousin was the highly talented Mourad who along with landing four graded contests, also did well as a juvenile finishing third in the Triumph, second at the Punchestown Festival, and fourth in the Prix Alain du Breil. Other useful juveniles on the damline include Darter (3/1) and Maybewave (2/3). Prey For Glory's flat form is also respectable in this company as while he failed to win in nine starts for James Ferguson, he did finish third on five occasions including successive handicaps at Wolverhampton, Yarmouth and Windsor during the spring. Disappointing at Linfield in early June, he hinted at a return to form back at Yarmouth when last seen two months ago, although he did hang quite badly under pressure. Withdrawn from the Tattersalls July Sale, he has since joined Denis Quinn who has one win from twenty-one in the division. Prey For Glory is entitled to respect on his breeding, but the yard is without a jumps winner for over a year and while the flat form is acceptable, the absence and questionable attitude rather offset the positives.
Sabre Jet bg Amy Murphy f5-0-2 (62) 65
Zoffany (Teofilo){19-c}(1.46) 3/1 Corton 4th 2m4f Maiden Hurdle, Worcester 2005
Amy Murphy went without a winner in her first three seasons in the sphere, but she made a discernible impact last term with three individual winners giving her a 20.83% strike rate. Furthermore, she has sent out juvenile hurdlers on forty-one occasions and counting without a single fall or unseat to date. Her first runner in the sphere this season is set to be Sabre Jet, who posted his best effort to date last time out. His first two starts on turf did not match his all-weather outings over the winter. However, the application of tongue tie and cheekpieces, and a return to ten furlongs, saw him keep on well to finish second off 62 at Yarmouth nineteen days ago. Zoffany would not be an obvious jumping sire, but his winners to runners rate of 26.19% is a healthy one and he is also capable of getting decent types such as Sir Psycho and Zoffanien. Teofilo is almost as strong a damsire as he is a sire in the division with his broodmares boasting a winner/runner rate of 28.57%. The damline would be less encouraging, and the standard of flat form is a little behind a few of these. Nevertheless, Sabre Jet's attitude as well as his sirelines and trainer profile would not have a decent showing readily ruled out.
Von Melas bg Michael Easterby f3-0-1 (64) 53
Battle Of Marengo (Rock Of Gibraltar){16-c}(0.82) 2/1 Karawaan 2nd 2m Handicap Hurdle (106), Tipperary 2021
Though officially rated 64 after three spins on the flat, Von Melas only hinted at that type of mark last time out when plugging on to finish a fourteen length third at in a ten furlong novice stakes at Nottingham early this month. He still looked green on that occasion and similar to his stablemate in the first division, the mark has not enticed connections to try handicapping. Von Melas is feasibly bred to do better over hurdles as Battle Of Marengo has had three winning juveniles from nine, and while Rock Of Gibraltar is not as strong a damsire as sire, uncle Karawaan has managed to place over hurdles. The yard's over record in the sphere could be worse, but its first time out rate is a poor one.
Addosh bf Stuart Edmunds f11-1-4 (71) 78
The Gurkha (Dubawi){10-a}(0.63) 3/2 State Crown 1st 2m1f Handicap Hurdle (110), Newton Abbot 2021
Of all the trainers in Britain and Ireland who have had fifteen of more juvenile hurdlers since 2004/05, only Henderson and Nicholls have a strike rate higher than Stuart Edmunds' 27.03%. Furthermore, when it comes to first time out winners, his strike rate of 42.86% is bettered only by Nicky Henderson and Desmond McDonogh. Hoping to maintain that record will be the 71 rated filly Addosh. Winless as a two-year-old, the application of the hood on her second start of 2021 saw her win a mile handicap at Thirsk by just under two lengths in ready fashion off a mark of 67. Though she failed to add to her tally, she continued in good form over her next three outings, putting up her best performance on her penultimate start when a staying on second over ten furlongs at Haydock at the start of July. The contest had an honest pace, the finish was contested by in form sorts and the winner and third have each won since. That would be her last start for Hugo Palmer and she sold for 15,000 guineas at the Tattersalls July Sale. Palmer's former inmates have a weak record in juvenile hurdles of one winner from sixteen, although Stuart Edmunds' other purchase at the same sale was another 15,000 guineas purchase, Wolf Of Windlesham, who would win three for the yard in 2015/16 including the Prestbury Hurdle. Addosh was slightly below form at Newmarket on her stable debut where her chances were compromised by her pulling hard, although she was not helped by the lack of early pace. The Gurkha is having his first crop of juvenile hurdlers and though one of Galileo's speedier sons, the sireline has a good record in the division and hurdlers Prospect Wells and Brooklyn's Gold do appear on his damline at 3/1. Damsire Dubawi has a 28.57% winner to runner rate in that role which includes Leoncavallo and State Crown - the latter being a 3/2 relative of Addosh who won a handicap hurdle as a juvenile last season. For all that Stuart Edmunds is quite seriously underestimated in this sphere, his clear round rate of 91.89% is not the highest, and it remains to be seen if Addosh's keenness last time was due to the pace or a more embedded issue. Nevertheless, there are still enough positives in her profile to make her worthy of serious attention in this contest.
Baby Sham bf Seamus Mullins f11-1-5 (62) 66 j1-0-0 (-) 70 66
Sir Percy (Shamardal){4-o}(1.00) 3/2 Shubaat 1st 3m Handicap Hurdle (130), Southwell 2014
A winner on her penultimate flat outing for Stuart Williams, Baby Sham received some support at longer odds before her jumps bow at Newton Abbot five weeks ago. Being a daughter of Sir Percy and distant relative of winners Shubaat (3/1), Jefferson Davis (3/1) and Well Chief (5/4) her prospects were not unfeasible. She skewed over the first and went through the top of the second, but jumped better in midfield prior to blundering at three out. Still in third place rounding the home turn, she had little else to give from thereon and was beaten fifteen lengths in the end. The trip ought not to have been an issue and a more reasonable explanation for her poor finishing would likely be her five month absence. Baby Sham would not have any grand aspirations in the game and has a bit to find with a few of these. Nevertheless, she should be able to leave that form behind eventually and the yard has had a winner at this venue in the past, even if their charges typically need a few races before finding their better form.
Free Degrees rof Sarah-Jayne Davies f3-0-0 (37) 39 j1-0-0 (-) 61 67
Free Eagle (Verglas){5-g}(0.65) 4/1 Englishtown 1st 2m5½f Handicap Hurdle (120), Southwell 2009
Apart from being a daughter of Free Eagle, Free Degrees had little going for her ahead of her jumps introduction at Uttoxeter a month ago. This was reflected in her starting price of 200/1. Though late and big at the first, she jumped reasonably while tracking the leaders from the outset. She was slightly baulked on landing at the sixth but was still within a couple of lengths of the lead turning from home. However, she had been relegated to fifth place at three out and had nothing else to give from thereon. Free Degrees travelled and jumped nicely enough, but would probably need to get in off a very low mark in order to eventually be competitive in this sphere.
Strong prospects
1. Addosh
Reasonable prospects
2. Caramelised
3. Sabre Jet
Feasible prospects
4. Aggagio
5. Prey For Glory
6. Baby Sham
Moderate prospects
7. Crane
8. Von Melas
9. Gonna Go Viral
Negligible prospects
10. Free Degrees
11. Gavin