Juvenile Hurdlers 2022/23
- Thread starter Bachelors Hall
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HEREFORD 4th JANUARY
Unless stated, all figures relate to British and Irish juvenile hurdlers since 2004/05
For context, the average strike rate (SR) across all juveniles is 9.53%, winner-runner (WR) 19.40%, improvement rate (IMP) 36.96%, clear round (CR) 96.07%, prize money per race (PMPR) £1085.22
Race History/Stats
* Maiden Juvenile first held on card in 2017, 5 editions (abandoned 2021)
* Average winning Dis of 0.65 median, 1.11 mean lower than course average (1.22 and 1.43 respectively)
* Average winners’ seasonal RPR of 114.40 higher than course average, but still below par overall
* One winning newcomer (5.56% SR), rest had experience (13.33% SR)
* Gerolamo Cardano (1st 2020) 3rd in Finesse (poor edition), Krypton Gold (4th 2022) won Ascot juvenile handicap
* Buckle Street (3rd 2017) and Broughtons Admiral (5th 2018) went on to be fairly useful
* Star de Mohaison made winning GB debut in a novice on this card in 2005
Course Info
* Flat, sharp, right-handed track
* Average winning DI 1.32 (+0.05 cf. standard – lower in this contest)
* Average winners’ seasonal RPR 108.81 (-9.45 cf. standard – higher in this contest)
* Clear round 95.35% (-0.72 cf. standard), completion rate 81.41% (-5.84 cf. standard)
* Fairly standard insofar as markets are concerned
* Newcomers’ clear round rate of 90.82% is lower only at Taunton among GB courses with >100 runners
* Front runners have sixth best record amongst GB courses
Ground & Pace
* Soft, light rain forecast overnight, cloud and moderate breeze forecast for morning
* No habitual pacemakers in field
Triumph Odds
Just Another One 100/1
Apologise bg Oliver Greenall f4-1-0 (71) 76 j1-0-1 (-) 56 55
Fascinating Rock (Acclamation){22-d}(1.18) 2/2 Allee Bleue 141 1st 2m4½f Handicap Hurdle (125), Leicester 2017
Breeding
* Fascinating Rock second crop, 1 winning juv from 9 (Faron)
* Acclamation solid damsire
* Cousin of useful Allee Bleue, 3/2 with winning jumpers Doubly Guest, Augustine and Alexandra Romanov, 3/3 Titi de Montmartre
Source
* ex-Andrew Slattery juveniles 28.57% (2-7) WR, 60.00% IMP
* Oliver Greenall private sales; 66.67% (4-6) WR when from France, 0-6 WR from GB/IRE flat
Trainer
* 15.91% WR
* Most juvenile hurdle runs without fall or unseat (154)
* 2-11 at Hereford, 2nd in this race with Quids In 2017
* Yard gone month without win but came within nose at Warwick on New Year’s Eve
* First time strike rate 4.44%, second time 8.33%, third time 16.67%
Flat Profile
* Made debut in early August, fair efforts in midfield in first three outings in maiden company
* Scored on handicap bow at Killarney in mid-October off 65 over extended 12 furlongs on soft ground, 4/1 joint favourite
* Tracked leaders, led at distance, kept on to win by 1¼l
Jumps Form
* Hurdles/stable debut Market Rasen start of December, good to soft, 9/4 > 7/4 favourite of seven
* In touch but lost ground with slow and awkward jumps, still close leaving back but beaten before straight where blundered badly two out, won three way battle for 47l third
* First two finished second and fourth at Wetherby, fourth and fifth each finished slightly closer next time, winning time reasonable
Summary
* Won soft ground handicap on final start in Ireland. Backed on debut, shaped as though would improve for experience and will probably have to.
Archer bg Milton Harris f6-0-3 (59) ?
Nutan (High Chaparral){16}(0.88) 3/3 Alcatraz Island 61.0 2nd Grand Steeple Alain du Breil (L,58.0), Le Lion d’Angers 2021
https://www.racebets.com/en/horse-racing/race/details/id/5122598/external/21554 (Manheim)
https://www.racebets.com/en/horse-racing/race/details/id/5279103/external/21833 (Saarbruken)
Breeding
* Nutan on third crop, twelve runs without win from three juveniles, Sergeant (also Von Der Recke>Harris) won three handicaps in summer after juvenile campaign.
* High Chaparral decent juvenile sire, less so as damsire (11.54% WR)
* Closest jumps relative fairly useful French handicap chaser Alcatraz Island 3/3
Source
* ex-Von Der Recke 8.00% WR since 2004/05 (Mondul 03/04 dual graded winning juvenile for Harris)
* Federstar only winning juvenile from eight for Harris since Mondul, Brilliant, Leopold and Sergeant won at four
Trainer
* 26.76% WR, 43.33% WR since return in 2018/19
* Strike rates improve across first three outings (10.94%, 15.09%, 17.50%)
* Yet to saddle winning juvenile from three at Musselburgh
* Fair recent form; had winner on Boxing Day with Polyphonic and won flat handicap on Friday with Scriptwriter
Jockey
* 22.86% SR
Flat Profile
* ex-German trained, five starts in Germany, one in Switzerland, maiden
* Best placing in most valuable contest came when third over 1800m at Dielsdorf in May, finishing 3½l third to Swiss Derby 6th, 3l behind Swiss Leger runner-up
* Well beaten final two outings in summer, showing pronounced tendency to hang left. Official mark approximately 59
Summary
* Yard has history with German imports although while this one mixed it with Swiss classic horses, the form does not amount to much and latest efforts do not instill confidence.
Elmaftun grg Nigel Hawke f3-0-0 (55) 54 j2-0-0 (-) 22 31
Dark Angel (Arcano){5-d}(11.00) 3/1 Stamp Your Feet 138 1st 2m½f Handicap Hurdle (128), Hereford 2017
Breeding
* Dark Angel fair record
* Arcano 40.00% (2/5) WR as damsire
* 3/1 Stamp Your Feet fairly useful handicap hurdler, won over this course and distance
Source
* 11,000gns Tatts July
* ex-Kevin Prendergast 21.92% WR, 32.14% IMP
Trainer
* 17.95% WR, 29.03% IMP
* First time SR 4.00%, second time 5.26%, third time 18.92%
* Six runners at Hereford, none placed
* Overall, 4 winners from 19 since 21st December, winner at Plumpton on Monday
Jockey
* Second string
Flat Profile
* Beaten 20 and 19 lengths on two starts in Ireland at Cork and Navan during Spring, 200/1 beaten 26l GB/yard debut in Lingfield novice stakes in September
Jumps Form
* Hurdle debut in Ludlow juvenile early November, 50/1
* Keen, midfield, jumped poorly, left behind entering straight, finished tired, beaten 63l
* Last seen start of December at Market Rasen, 100/1
* In rear, jumped poorly and to left, detached back stretch, fell two out, stewards enquiry as to horse should have been allowed to continue that far
Summary
* Showed little on Flat in Ireland and regressed from poor hurdling debut on second start.
Just Another One bg Nigel Hawke f2-0-2 (-) 77 j2-0-1 (-) 105 108
Vocalised (Galileo){1-x}(1.09) 1/2 Leagan Gaeilge 116 1st 3yo Maiden Hurdle, Leopardstown 2019
Breeding
* Vocalised 7.41% WR; two winners – Leagan Gaeilge (Just Another One’s niece/half-sister) and stablemate I Have A Voice
* Galileo solid record as damsire
* Neither sibling able to place over hurdles
Source
* Unraced for Jim Bolger
* Ex-Bolger juveniles that did not go to Nigel Hawke 20.78% WR
* Bolger > Hawke juveniles 53.33% WR (8/15)
Trainer
* 17.95% WR, 29.03% IMP
* First time SR 4.00%, second time 5.26%, third time 18.92%
* Six runners at Hereford, none placed
* Overall, 4 winners from 19 since 21st December, winner at Plumpton on Monday
Jockey
* First string
Flat Profile
* Made racecourse debut at Nottingham in mid August, finishing 8½l second at 66/1, filled same position fortnight later at Ffos Las, 33/1.
* Form probably as good as anything seen in this line up and showed decent attitude
Jumps Form
* Hurdling debut in class 2 at Market Rasen in September, good ground, trimmed from 7/1 to 11/2 third favourite of five
* Held up off the pace looking in danger of becoming seriously detached when being ridden along the back. Hopped over the second and third, got in very close to the fourth and took his last two in the manner of a tired horse. Latter jumps are curious given that he visually finished strongly to take the runner-up spot on the flat. However, the closing sectionals were glacial compared to the other races on the card over the same trip so it is probable that the race simply disintegrated.
* Form done no favours by winner who has since been sold to race on the flat, third filled same position when well beaten by Dixon Cove at Hereford
* Second and latest outing came in Grade Two Prestbury Hurdle at Cheltenham two months ago. 20/1>66/1 in morning, 50/1>40/1 in ring
* Same raced Hawke ran Repetitio and Historic Heart; both would win subsequently as juveniles
* In rear, left behind going down hill, came home in own time. Ridden away from third, tight and awkward three out and went left two out but jumped better overall
Summary
* Bare form is ordinary but still reads well in context of this field and yard’s juveniles do improve with experience. Is unraced on soft although niece/half-sister Leagan Gaelige claimed her sole hurdles win on the surface.
Tessy Lad bg Richard Hughes f12-3-3 (73) 77 j1-0-1 (-) 92 103
Australia (Medicean){19-b}(0.67) 3/1 Comedy Act 111 1st Juvenile Hurdle, Plumpton 2010
Breeding
* Australia 19.23% SR, 30.77% IMP
* Medicean 5.00% WR as damsire
* 3/1 winners Comedy Act and Circus Clown, 4/1 Circus Star (2nd Triumph, 3rd Anniversary, 3rd Punchestown)
Source
* ex-Richard Hughes juveniles 0-13 WR 0% IMP
* Seven ran for Hughes in juvenile hurdles, Wholeofthemoon first to run into place at Wetherby in November
Trainer
* Yet to saddle any winning jumper, couple of placings recently, without flat winner for three weeks
Flat Profile
* Twelve runs and three wins; all of which came in handicap company; Newbury July 1m2f off 60, Windsor August 1m3½f off 64, Wolverhampton October 1m4f off 69
* Honest and consistent, usually racing near pace, highest official mark in line-up
Jumps Form
* Debut came in Newcastle introductory juvenile towards end of November, available at 3/1 in morning, 9/4 > 6/4 favourite in ring
* Tracked leader at modest tempo, jumped well, first error when steady and close to two out, steadied again into last, one paced on run-in, losing second close home
* Fourth and fifth filled first two placings next time while winner ran to level behind promising horse on New Year’s Day
Summary
* Highest official rating on flat and consistent horse in that sphere. Shaped wth plenty of promise on hurdling debut in Newcastle contest that is working out quite well.
Tropical Talent bg Sylvester Kirk f6-0-1 (63) 68
Nathaniel (Fastnet Rock){21-a}(0.91) No jumps relatives
Breeding
* Nathaniel 30.56% WR (Zanahiyr, Burning Victory, Navajo Pass) 50.00% IMP
* Fastnet Rock 12.50% WR as damsire, fair as sire
* No jumps relatives nearby
* 5/1 Sri Pekan who sired 19 winning jumpers; most notably Edmo Yewkay and Palua
* Sri Pekan 2-11 WR with juveniles including dual winning juvenile Don’t Call Me Derek – a 22/20 relative of Tropical Talent (common ancestress Wagtail b.1818)
Source
* With David Elsworth at two, ex-Elsworth juveniles 15.15% WR, 29.17% IMP
* ex-Sylvester Kirk juvs 24.24% WR
* All Kirk juvenile hurdlers trained by himself; 0-14 SR from 5 juveniles – highest RPR 86
Trainer
* See above
* No flat winner in 80 runs, no jumps winner for nineteen years
Flat Profile
* Six races altogether; four as two-year old where showed best form in three Kempton contests; beaten less than 4l in a pair of novice stakes and finishing 6½l fourth in a nursery off 70
* Couple of races in handicaps in April, beaten 7¾l at Southwell off 69, then tailed off at Nottingham off 66. Not seen since
Summary
* Strong sire and showed some ability at two. Not seen since running flat in April and little else encouragement in profile.
Twm Sion chg Bernard Llewellyn f2-0-0 (-) 42
Fight Club (Equiano){3-c}(0.25) 2/1 Starlit Night 81 1st 2m6f Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (76), Stratford 2017
Breeding
* Fight Club, won G2 and G3 over 10f in GER, eventually ran over hurdles in GB. finished no closer than 24l to winner in three starts, sired three hurdlers, none finishing closer than 49l to winner in six combined starts
* Equiano 0-2 WR as damsire, 0-8 WR as sire
* Dam half-sister to very modest winning handicap hurdler
Source
* Those trained by Llewellyn on flat 0-10 from five juveniles
Trainer
* 24.14% WR
* 2-28 SR first time out
* One placing from eight starts at Hereford
* Ten weeks since last winner, latest runners well beaten
Flat Profile
* Two runs at Bath in Autumn 2021, last of eight on both occasions beaten 32l and 19½l, not seen since.
Summary
* Sire is a curiosity, no ability in pair of starts at two and not seen since.
Tying The Knot bg Alan King f6-0-1 (64) 76 j2-0-1 (-) 82 93
Noble Mission (Louis Quatorze){1-m}(0.76) 4/2 Stolen Light 101 1st 2m1f Novice Hurdle, Killarney 2006
Breeding
* Noble Mission stood in USA, now in Japan, three juveniles to date, one winner (Goobinator won twice in 2019/20)
* Louis Quatorze 0-2 WR as damsire
* American pedigree, fourth dam ancestor of winning jumpers Stolen Light (4/2), Danse Idol and New Rules (4/3)
Source
* 75,000gns at Tatts Guineas Sale at two
* Trained by Alan King on flat, self-trained juveniles have 50.00% WR (47-94)
* Such horses rated 62 and above have first time strike rate of 29.73%, second time 25.40%
Trainer
* More winning juveniles than any other trainer; 114 since 2004/05
* 20.00% SR at Hereford, sole runner in this contest (Big Boy Bobby) finished second last year
* Yard among winners but below usual form for yard
Flat Profile
* Maiden after six outings, finishing no closer than six lengths to winner
* Career best when third at Sandown at two (race ran to suit), well beaten in handicaps final two outings off 71 and 67 on good and heavy ground
Jumps Form
* Hurdle debut in mid-november Southwell juvenile, good ground, 3/1 second favourite of six gelded since final flat outing
* Held up, tight at first, trailed hind legs at third, awkward fourth, blundered three out, never able to make impression, beaten 34l finishing short head ahead of 50/1 shot
* Time not lamentable compared to others on card but all horses well beaten in subsequent outings
* Second hurdles outing introductory juvenile at Sandown at start of December, soft ground, 33/1
* Held up in rear off solid pace, occasionally cautious and made mistakes three out and last, but more sound than on debut. Passed well beaten horses but never involved and beaten 16l
* Decent time due in part to early pace, runner-up finished last in Finale next time
Summary
* Feasible pedigree and with leading yard. Glimpse of flat ability but trainer typically does better with this type. Improved from debut to second outing but more needed.
Highland Lass chf Richard Price f4-0-0 (10) 0 j1-0-0 (-) 0 0
Highland Reel (Dubawi){4-k}(0.79) 2/1 Crazy Queen 89 5th 2m 4yo Maiden Hurdle, Wexford 2016
Breeding
* Highland Reel first crop, good start, three winners from eleven including potentially useful Spartan Army
* Dubawi 30.43% WR as damsire
* Damline has no hurdlers of note
Source
* 1,000gns Tatts Autumn 2021 (unraced)
Trainer
* One winning juvenile from twelve (In The Crowd 2012/13)
* 60.00% IMP (3/5)
Flat Profile
* Four runs starting in May, beaten no less than 35l starting no shorter than 80/1, finishing ahead of no competitive horse
Jumps Form
* Sole outing in C&D fillies maiden in November, 250/1
* In rear, pulled hard, novicey jumps, detached half-way, pulled up; reportedly lost action
Summary
* Strong sirelines but no sign of ability on either code.
Jikala bf Venetia Williams j2-0-0 (-) ? 95
Berkshire (Network){u}(0.20) 2/1 Drole d’Histoire 61.0 1st Prix Achille-Fould (L,4yo+ Newcomers Hurdle), Auteuil 2018
Breeding
* Berkshire first crop sire, big horse (1.68m), won Royal Lodge and Darley Stakes, 4/2 with Tiger Groom, 4/3 Rashaan
* Yet to have GB/IRE jumper, 0-3 in France
* Network 3 winners from 7 as damsire
* 0.5 Happy Dancing achieved little in nine starts, 2/1 (dam’s full brother) Balsamo won AQPS chase at five, 2/1 Drole d’Histoire won listed newcomers hurdle, 2/2 Ifrane won Nimes handicap chase at 4yo, 3/1 Kario de Sormain won Prix Heros XII (G3) and Prix Georges Courtois (G2); herself dam of Hardkore (beat Good Risk At All on debut, fatal fall next time), Enee (won HcH at 6) and Falafel (won chase at 5). 3/1 Neige de Sormain (2x1.4yC Auteuil), 3/1 Umbertok (1.3yH Pau), 3/1 Baptist’Palace (1.HcC 6yo), 5/1 Orloph (1. Prix Morgex)
Source
* €22,000 Arqana Deauville Summer Sale; same sale Venetia Williams bought Ibleo for €210,000 in 2016 (beaten sole outing as juvenile, eventually classy 2m handicap chaser) and The Crooner for €14,000 in 2018 (0-3 as juve, winning handicap hurdler and chaser)
* David Morrison yet to export juvenile hurdler
* Venetia Williams 26.32% WR with ex-French hurdle recruits, 0-8 WR since 2015/16
Trainer
* 30.00% WR
* 10.29% overall first time strike rate
* 0-19 for French hurdle recruits, increases to 30.77% SR second time out
* 1 win from 9 at Hereford
* Yard in fair form
Jumps Form
* Racecourse debut; 24/4/22 Angouleme €13,000 filly’s conditions hurdle 3400m good to soft
* Held up towards rear, mistake at last in back but jumped soundly otherwise, headway to get within half a dozen lengths of leader entering straight but ultimately finished one paced fourth, beaten just under five lengths
* Winner subsequently placed in reasonable conditions hurdles and chases in provinces, third won minor contest next time, sixth runner up in minor claimer
* Second and final outing
* Second and latest start; 22/5/22 Dax €18,000 filly’s conditions hurdle 3500m good to soft; wore tongue tie
* Initially in rear, pulled self into tracking position first lap, bad blunder six out, awkward three out, off bridle and lost ground thereafter, tired went left two out, beaten 18l fourth
* Winner won similar contest in September
Summary
* French hurdles recruit who showed fair form on debut without obviously matching the experienced hurdlers here. Yard does well in sphere but this type improves with experience and pedigree suggests much the same.
Strong prospects
1.Tessy Lad
2.Just Another One
Reasonable prospects
3.Jikala
Feasible prospects
4.Apologise
5.Tying The Knot
Moderate prospects
6.Archer
7.Tropical Talent
Negligible prospects
8.Elmaftun
9.Highland Lass
10.Twm Sion
Unless stated, all figures relate to British and Irish juvenile hurdlers since 2004/05
For context, the average strike rate (SR) across all juveniles is 9.53%, winner-runner (WR) 19.40%, improvement rate (IMP) 36.96%, clear round (CR) 96.07%, prize money per race (PMPR) £1085.22
Race History/Stats
* Maiden Juvenile first held on card in 2017, 5 editions (abandoned 2021)
* Average winning Dis of 0.65 median, 1.11 mean lower than course average (1.22 and 1.43 respectively)
* Average winners’ seasonal RPR of 114.40 higher than course average, but still below par overall
* One winning newcomer (5.56% SR), rest had experience (13.33% SR)
* Gerolamo Cardano (1st 2020) 3rd in Finesse (poor edition), Krypton Gold (4th 2022) won Ascot juvenile handicap
* Buckle Street (3rd 2017) and Broughtons Admiral (5th 2018) went on to be fairly useful
* Star de Mohaison made winning GB debut in a novice on this card in 2005
Course Info
* Flat, sharp, right-handed track
* Average winning DI 1.32 (+0.05 cf. standard – lower in this contest)
* Average winners’ seasonal RPR 108.81 (-9.45 cf. standard – higher in this contest)
* Clear round 95.35% (-0.72 cf. standard), completion rate 81.41% (-5.84 cf. standard)
* Fairly standard insofar as markets are concerned
* Newcomers’ clear round rate of 90.82% is lower only at Taunton among GB courses with >100 runners
* Front runners have sixth best record amongst GB courses
Ground & Pace
* Soft, light rain forecast overnight, cloud and moderate breeze forecast for morning
* No habitual pacemakers in field
Triumph Odds
Just Another One 100/1
Apologise bg Oliver Greenall f4-1-0 (71) 76 j1-0-1 (-) 56 55
Fascinating Rock (Acclamation){22-d}(1.18) 2/2 Allee Bleue 141 1st 2m4½f Handicap Hurdle (125), Leicester 2017
Breeding
* Fascinating Rock second crop, 1 winning juv from 9 (Faron)
* Acclamation solid damsire
* Cousin of useful Allee Bleue, 3/2 with winning jumpers Doubly Guest, Augustine and Alexandra Romanov, 3/3 Titi de Montmartre
Source
* ex-Andrew Slattery juveniles 28.57% (2-7) WR, 60.00% IMP
* Oliver Greenall private sales; 66.67% (4-6) WR when from France, 0-6 WR from GB/IRE flat
Trainer
* 15.91% WR
* Most juvenile hurdle runs without fall or unseat (154)
* 2-11 at Hereford, 2nd in this race with Quids In 2017
* Yard gone month without win but came within nose at Warwick on New Year’s Eve
* First time strike rate 4.44%, second time 8.33%, third time 16.67%
Flat Profile
* Made debut in early August, fair efforts in midfield in first three outings in maiden company
* Scored on handicap bow at Killarney in mid-October off 65 over extended 12 furlongs on soft ground, 4/1 joint favourite
* Tracked leaders, led at distance, kept on to win by 1¼l
Jumps Form
* Hurdles/stable debut Market Rasen start of December, good to soft, 9/4 > 7/4 favourite of seven
* In touch but lost ground with slow and awkward jumps, still close leaving back but beaten before straight where blundered badly two out, won three way battle for 47l third
* First two finished second and fourth at Wetherby, fourth and fifth each finished slightly closer next time, winning time reasonable
Summary
* Won soft ground handicap on final start in Ireland. Backed on debut, shaped as though would improve for experience and will probably have to.
Archer bg Milton Harris f6-0-3 (59) ?
Nutan (High Chaparral){16}(0.88) 3/3 Alcatraz Island 61.0 2nd Grand Steeple Alain du Breil (L,58.0), Le Lion d’Angers 2021
https://www.racebets.com/en/horse-racing/race/details/id/5122598/external/21554 (Manheim)
https://www.racebets.com/en/horse-racing/race/details/id/5279103/external/21833 (Saarbruken)
Breeding
* Nutan on third crop, twelve runs without win from three juveniles, Sergeant (also Von Der Recke>Harris) won three handicaps in summer after juvenile campaign.
* High Chaparral decent juvenile sire, less so as damsire (11.54% WR)
* Closest jumps relative fairly useful French handicap chaser Alcatraz Island 3/3
Source
* ex-Von Der Recke 8.00% WR since 2004/05 (Mondul 03/04 dual graded winning juvenile for Harris)
* Federstar only winning juvenile from eight for Harris since Mondul, Brilliant, Leopold and Sergeant won at four
Trainer
* 26.76% WR, 43.33% WR since return in 2018/19
* Strike rates improve across first three outings (10.94%, 15.09%, 17.50%)
* Yet to saddle winning juvenile from three at Musselburgh
* Fair recent form; had winner on Boxing Day with Polyphonic and won flat handicap on Friday with Scriptwriter
Jockey
* 22.86% SR
Flat Profile
* ex-German trained, five starts in Germany, one in Switzerland, maiden
* Best placing in most valuable contest came when third over 1800m at Dielsdorf in May, finishing 3½l third to Swiss Derby 6th, 3l behind Swiss Leger runner-up
* Well beaten final two outings in summer, showing pronounced tendency to hang left. Official mark approximately 59
Summary
* Yard has history with German imports although while this one mixed it with Swiss classic horses, the form does not amount to much and latest efforts do not instill confidence.
Elmaftun grg Nigel Hawke f3-0-0 (55) 54 j2-0-0 (-) 22 31
Dark Angel (Arcano){5-d}(11.00) 3/1 Stamp Your Feet 138 1st 2m½f Handicap Hurdle (128), Hereford 2017
Breeding
* Dark Angel fair record
* Arcano 40.00% (2/5) WR as damsire
* 3/1 Stamp Your Feet fairly useful handicap hurdler, won over this course and distance
Source
* 11,000gns Tatts July
* ex-Kevin Prendergast 21.92% WR, 32.14% IMP
Trainer
* 17.95% WR, 29.03% IMP
* First time SR 4.00%, second time 5.26%, third time 18.92%
* Six runners at Hereford, none placed
* Overall, 4 winners from 19 since 21st December, winner at Plumpton on Monday
Jockey
* Second string
Flat Profile
* Beaten 20 and 19 lengths on two starts in Ireland at Cork and Navan during Spring, 200/1 beaten 26l GB/yard debut in Lingfield novice stakes in September
Jumps Form
* Hurdle debut in Ludlow juvenile early November, 50/1
* Keen, midfield, jumped poorly, left behind entering straight, finished tired, beaten 63l
* Last seen start of December at Market Rasen, 100/1
* In rear, jumped poorly and to left, detached back stretch, fell two out, stewards enquiry as to horse should have been allowed to continue that far
Summary
* Showed little on Flat in Ireland and regressed from poor hurdling debut on second start.
Just Another One bg Nigel Hawke f2-0-2 (-) 77 j2-0-1 (-) 105 108
Vocalised (Galileo){1-x}(1.09) 1/2 Leagan Gaeilge 116 1st 3yo Maiden Hurdle, Leopardstown 2019
Breeding
* Vocalised 7.41% WR; two winners – Leagan Gaeilge (Just Another One’s niece/half-sister) and stablemate I Have A Voice
* Galileo solid record as damsire
* Neither sibling able to place over hurdles
Source
* Unraced for Jim Bolger
* Ex-Bolger juveniles that did not go to Nigel Hawke 20.78% WR
* Bolger > Hawke juveniles 53.33% WR (8/15)
Trainer
* 17.95% WR, 29.03% IMP
* First time SR 4.00%, second time 5.26%, third time 18.92%
* Six runners at Hereford, none placed
* Overall, 4 winners from 19 since 21st December, winner at Plumpton on Monday
Jockey
* First string
Flat Profile
* Made racecourse debut at Nottingham in mid August, finishing 8½l second at 66/1, filled same position fortnight later at Ffos Las, 33/1.
* Form probably as good as anything seen in this line up and showed decent attitude
Jumps Form
* Hurdling debut in class 2 at Market Rasen in September, good ground, trimmed from 7/1 to 11/2 third favourite of five
* Held up off the pace looking in danger of becoming seriously detached when being ridden along the back. Hopped over the second and third, got in very close to the fourth and took his last two in the manner of a tired horse. Latter jumps are curious given that he visually finished strongly to take the runner-up spot on the flat. However, the closing sectionals were glacial compared to the other races on the card over the same trip so it is probable that the race simply disintegrated.
* Form done no favours by winner who has since been sold to race on the flat, third filled same position when well beaten by Dixon Cove at Hereford
* Second and latest outing came in Grade Two Prestbury Hurdle at Cheltenham two months ago. 20/1>66/1 in morning, 50/1>40/1 in ring
* Same raced Hawke ran Repetitio and Historic Heart; both would win subsequently as juveniles
* In rear, left behind going down hill, came home in own time. Ridden away from third, tight and awkward three out and went left two out but jumped better overall
Summary
* Bare form is ordinary but still reads well in context of this field and yard’s juveniles do improve with experience. Is unraced on soft although niece/half-sister Leagan Gaelige claimed her sole hurdles win on the surface.
Tessy Lad bg Richard Hughes f12-3-3 (73) 77 j1-0-1 (-) 92 103
Australia (Medicean){19-b}(0.67) 3/1 Comedy Act 111 1st Juvenile Hurdle, Plumpton 2010
Breeding
* Australia 19.23% SR, 30.77% IMP
* Medicean 5.00% WR as damsire
* 3/1 winners Comedy Act and Circus Clown, 4/1 Circus Star (2nd Triumph, 3rd Anniversary, 3rd Punchestown)
Source
* ex-Richard Hughes juveniles 0-13 WR 0% IMP
* Seven ran for Hughes in juvenile hurdles, Wholeofthemoon first to run into place at Wetherby in November
Trainer
* Yet to saddle any winning jumper, couple of placings recently, without flat winner for three weeks
Flat Profile
* Twelve runs and three wins; all of which came in handicap company; Newbury July 1m2f off 60, Windsor August 1m3½f off 64, Wolverhampton October 1m4f off 69
* Honest and consistent, usually racing near pace, highest official mark in line-up
Jumps Form
* Debut came in Newcastle introductory juvenile towards end of November, available at 3/1 in morning, 9/4 > 6/4 favourite in ring
* Tracked leader at modest tempo, jumped well, first error when steady and close to two out, steadied again into last, one paced on run-in, losing second close home
* Fourth and fifth filled first two placings next time while winner ran to level behind promising horse on New Year’s Day
Summary
* Highest official rating on flat and consistent horse in that sphere. Shaped wth plenty of promise on hurdling debut in Newcastle contest that is working out quite well.
Tropical Talent bg Sylvester Kirk f6-0-1 (63) 68
Nathaniel (Fastnet Rock){21-a}(0.91) No jumps relatives
Breeding
* Nathaniel 30.56% WR (Zanahiyr, Burning Victory, Navajo Pass) 50.00% IMP
* Fastnet Rock 12.50% WR as damsire, fair as sire
* No jumps relatives nearby
* 5/1 Sri Pekan who sired 19 winning jumpers; most notably Edmo Yewkay and Palua
* Sri Pekan 2-11 WR with juveniles including dual winning juvenile Don’t Call Me Derek – a 22/20 relative of Tropical Talent (common ancestress Wagtail b.1818)
Source
* With David Elsworth at two, ex-Elsworth juveniles 15.15% WR, 29.17% IMP
* ex-Sylvester Kirk juvs 24.24% WR
* All Kirk juvenile hurdlers trained by himself; 0-14 SR from 5 juveniles – highest RPR 86
Trainer
* See above
* No flat winner in 80 runs, no jumps winner for nineteen years
Flat Profile
* Six races altogether; four as two-year old where showed best form in three Kempton contests; beaten less than 4l in a pair of novice stakes and finishing 6½l fourth in a nursery off 70
* Couple of races in handicaps in April, beaten 7¾l at Southwell off 69, then tailed off at Nottingham off 66. Not seen since
Summary
* Strong sire and showed some ability at two. Not seen since running flat in April and little else encouragement in profile.
Twm Sion chg Bernard Llewellyn f2-0-0 (-) 42
Fight Club (Equiano){3-c}(0.25) 2/1 Starlit Night 81 1st 2m6f Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (76), Stratford 2017
Breeding
* Fight Club, won G2 and G3 over 10f in GER, eventually ran over hurdles in GB. finished no closer than 24l to winner in three starts, sired three hurdlers, none finishing closer than 49l to winner in six combined starts
* Equiano 0-2 WR as damsire, 0-8 WR as sire
* Dam half-sister to very modest winning handicap hurdler
Source
* Those trained by Llewellyn on flat 0-10 from five juveniles
Trainer
* 24.14% WR
* 2-28 SR first time out
* One placing from eight starts at Hereford
* Ten weeks since last winner, latest runners well beaten
Flat Profile
* Two runs at Bath in Autumn 2021, last of eight on both occasions beaten 32l and 19½l, not seen since.
Summary
* Sire is a curiosity, no ability in pair of starts at two and not seen since.
Tying The Knot bg Alan King f6-0-1 (64) 76 j2-0-1 (-) 82 93
Noble Mission (Louis Quatorze){1-m}(0.76) 4/2 Stolen Light 101 1st 2m1f Novice Hurdle, Killarney 2006
Breeding
* Noble Mission stood in USA, now in Japan, three juveniles to date, one winner (Goobinator won twice in 2019/20)
* Louis Quatorze 0-2 WR as damsire
* American pedigree, fourth dam ancestor of winning jumpers Stolen Light (4/2), Danse Idol and New Rules (4/3)
Source
* 75,000gns at Tatts Guineas Sale at two
* Trained by Alan King on flat, self-trained juveniles have 50.00% WR (47-94)
* Such horses rated 62 and above have first time strike rate of 29.73%, second time 25.40%
Trainer
* More winning juveniles than any other trainer; 114 since 2004/05
* 20.00% SR at Hereford, sole runner in this contest (Big Boy Bobby) finished second last year
* Yard among winners but below usual form for yard
Flat Profile
* Maiden after six outings, finishing no closer than six lengths to winner
* Career best when third at Sandown at two (race ran to suit), well beaten in handicaps final two outings off 71 and 67 on good and heavy ground
Jumps Form
* Hurdle debut in mid-november Southwell juvenile, good ground, 3/1 second favourite of six gelded since final flat outing
* Held up, tight at first, trailed hind legs at third, awkward fourth, blundered three out, never able to make impression, beaten 34l finishing short head ahead of 50/1 shot
* Time not lamentable compared to others on card but all horses well beaten in subsequent outings
* Second hurdles outing introductory juvenile at Sandown at start of December, soft ground, 33/1
* Held up in rear off solid pace, occasionally cautious and made mistakes three out and last, but more sound than on debut. Passed well beaten horses but never involved and beaten 16l
* Decent time due in part to early pace, runner-up finished last in Finale next time
Summary
* Feasible pedigree and with leading yard. Glimpse of flat ability but trainer typically does better with this type. Improved from debut to second outing but more needed.
Highland Lass chf Richard Price f4-0-0 (10) 0 j1-0-0 (-) 0 0
Highland Reel (Dubawi){4-k}(0.79) 2/1 Crazy Queen 89 5th 2m 4yo Maiden Hurdle, Wexford 2016
Breeding
* Highland Reel first crop, good start, three winners from eleven including potentially useful Spartan Army
* Dubawi 30.43% WR as damsire
* Damline has no hurdlers of note
Source
* 1,000gns Tatts Autumn 2021 (unraced)
Trainer
* One winning juvenile from twelve (In The Crowd 2012/13)
* 60.00% IMP (3/5)
Flat Profile
* Four runs starting in May, beaten no less than 35l starting no shorter than 80/1, finishing ahead of no competitive horse
Jumps Form
* Sole outing in C&D fillies maiden in November, 250/1
* In rear, pulled hard, novicey jumps, detached half-way, pulled up; reportedly lost action
Summary
* Strong sirelines but no sign of ability on either code.
Jikala bf Venetia Williams j2-0-0 (-) ? 95
Berkshire (Network){u}(0.20) 2/1 Drole d’Histoire 61.0 1st Prix Achille-Fould (L,4yo+ Newcomers Hurdle), Auteuil 2018
Breeding
* Berkshire first crop sire, big horse (1.68m), won Royal Lodge and Darley Stakes, 4/2 with Tiger Groom, 4/3 Rashaan
* Yet to have GB/IRE jumper, 0-3 in France
* Network 3 winners from 7 as damsire
* 0.5 Happy Dancing achieved little in nine starts, 2/1 (dam’s full brother) Balsamo won AQPS chase at five, 2/1 Drole d’Histoire won listed newcomers hurdle, 2/2 Ifrane won Nimes handicap chase at 4yo, 3/1 Kario de Sormain won Prix Heros XII (G3) and Prix Georges Courtois (G2); herself dam of Hardkore (beat Good Risk At All on debut, fatal fall next time), Enee (won HcH at 6) and Falafel (won chase at 5). 3/1 Neige de Sormain (2x1.4yC Auteuil), 3/1 Umbertok (1.3yH Pau), 3/1 Baptist’Palace (1.HcC 6yo), 5/1 Orloph (1. Prix Morgex)
Source
* €22,000 Arqana Deauville Summer Sale; same sale Venetia Williams bought Ibleo for €210,000 in 2016 (beaten sole outing as juvenile, eventually classy 2m handicap chaser) and The Crooner for €14,000 in 2018 (0-3 as juve, winning handicap hurdler and chaser)
* David Morrison yet to export juvenile hurdler
* Venetia Williams 26.32% WR with ex-French hurdle recruits, 0-8 WR since 2015/16
Trainer
* 30.00% WR
* 10.29% overall first time strike rate
* 0-19 for French hurdle recruits, increases to 30.77% SR second time out
* 1 win from 9 at Hereford
* Yard in fair form
Jumps Form
* Racecourse debut; 24/4/22 Angouleme €13,000 filly’s conditions hurdle 3400m good to soft
* Held up towards rear, mistake at last in back but jumped soundly otherwise, headway to get within half a dozen lengths of leader entering straight but ultimately finished one paced fourth, beaten just under five lengths
* Winner subsequently placed in reasonable conditions hurdles and chases in provinces, third won minor contest next time, sixth runner up in minor claimer
* Second and final outing
* Second and latest start; 22/5/22 Dax €18,000 filly’s conditions hurdle 3500m good to soft; wore tongue tie
* Initially in rear, pulled self into tracking position first lap, bad blunder six out, awkward three out, off bridle and lost ground thereafter, tired went left two out, beaten 18l fourth
* Winner won similar contest in September
Summary
* French hurdles recruit who showed fair form on debut without obviously matching the experienced hurdlers here. Yard does well in sphere but this type improves with experience and pedigree suggests much the same.
Strong prospects
1.Tessy Lad
2.Just Another One
Reasonable prospects
3.Jikala
Feasible prospects
4.Apologise
5.Tying The Knot
Moderate prospects
6.Archer
7.Tropical Talent
Negligible prospects
8.Elmaftun
9.Highland Lass
10.Twm Sion