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**Kotkijet** · 3 June 2022, 06:47 PM

Free Chakarte bf David Pipe f6-2-1 (32.0) 63
Highland Reel (Pivotal){13-e}(0.82) 2/1 Libeccio 126 1st 2m4?f Handicap Hurdle, Plumpton 2016

https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/free-chakarte

David Pipe won this race in 2010 with Lucky Quay, and last year with Koi Dodville; who had been bought out of a French claimer on his previous start. While Koi Dodville cost the same connections €14,506 after finishing second at Saint-Cloud, French Chakarte was slightly pricier at €17,001 following her win at Fontainebleau thirty-eight days ago. The road to Fontainebleau began last June with a staying-on third in a 1400m newcomers race at La Teste de Buch under the care of Simone Brogi. Disappointing on her return to the venue the following month, Free Chakarte was switched to Christophe Ferland’s yard and was next seen at Toulouse in March over 2100m where she finished in midfield; fading having led to the furlong marker. Later that month, a switch to handicapping (off a valeur of 33 (72.6) and more patient tactics back over a mile at La Teste failed to pay off as she got very warm and finished well beaten. Free Chakarte was then dropped to claiming company which saw her finally get off the mark at Royan in a 1600m contest on souple ground worth €8,000. Initially setting the pace, she slotted behind the leaders going into the back before regaining the lead turning for home and fending off a better travelling rival to win by three-quarters of a length. She conceded five-and-a-half kilos to the 29.0 rated runner-up and was nearly nine pounds better than the fifty-six rated third. The form has not been well advertised since, but it would still be worth a rating in the mid-high sixties. Later in April, Free Chakarte completed the double at Fontainebleau in a 2000m claimer worth more than twice the Royan contest. Stalking the leader from the outset, she was asked for her effort at the distance and though her immediate response was to wander under pressure, she straightened out inside the final furlong and had the measure of her rivals to the tune of a decisive length at the finish. She was getting weight from the first three to follow her home, but with them all rated between 30.0 (66) and 34.0 (74.8), another mark in the mid-high sixties would not be wide of the mark. Two of the nine juveniles formerly trained by Christophe Ferland were winners with each also able to score on their first runs in Britain. David Pipe is not shy about buying juveniles from French claimers and five of the twelve sourced in this fashion were winners; giving a winner runner rate of 41.67% which compares favourably to the 20.45% for all other trainers. While three of these would take a few runs to find their mark, the most recent pair – Adagio and Koi Dodville – did score at the first time of asking. Free Chakarte’s sire, Highland Reel, is one of two in this contest having their first forays in National Hunt racing and is also a globetrotting son of Galileo. However, while Mondialiste leaned towards the mile end of middle-distances, Highland Reel won five times over a mile and a half including a King George and a Coronation Cup. Highland Reel is the shorter of the two, measuring at 16.0?hh, but despite his Antipodean flat heritage, is a 3/3 relative of Starspangledbanner; a sire emerging as rather adept with juvenile hurdlers. While preferring livelier ground as a racehorse, Highland Reel is getting winners on soft. All the same, as a probable source of stamina with good ground ability, Highland Reel has the attributes to enjoy success with summer jumpers. The distaff side of Free Chakarte’s pedigree also has some potential for the sphere as evidenced by uncle Libeccio who finished second in the juvenile handicap at Sandown before winning fairly useful hurdles over middle distances. Though unlikely to set the scene alight, Free Chakarte has less questions to answer than her opponents here and comes into the race with a solid chance.

Intriguing Lady bf Nigel Hawke f12-0-3 (50) 66
Fascinating Rock (Invincible Spirit){9-e}(1.13) 2/1 Arthurian 87 1st 2m?f Juvenile Selling Hurdle, Stratford 2008
The veteran of twelve outings, Intriguing Lady is the most experienced participant set to face the starter. She was formerly trained by Mark Johnston who, since 2005, has been the most prolific supplier of juvenile hurdles with 211 former inmates of Kingsley House(?) taking up the vocation. For context, Mick Channon is next on the list with just three others reaching triple digits. Of those 211, fifty were winners, giving a healthy rate of 26.47%, although less than a third would improve on what they had shown for Johnston. The latter factor would be a matter of concern for Intriguing Lady whose early promise was fleeting and has been supplanted by disappointment. Her debut came at Ayr last August where, sporting a hood, she finished second of four behind a fair and experienced rival and ahead of a pair that have subsequently achieved little. Running green and down the field on her next two starts, she posted her career best on her handicap debut in a seven-furlong Newcastle nursery in October off 65. She was arguably unlucky when sixth in a Chelmsford claimer on her seventh and final start as a two-year-old, but on her first four starts of 2022, finished last in a handicap, last in a claimer, third in a seller won by a 54 rated animal, then eighth of nine in a Southwell handicap. Intriguing Lady was last seen finishing midfield in a Wolverhampton handicap where, sporting her fourth form of headgear, refused to settle before weakening late on. After this final outing, Intriguing Lady went to the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale where she commanded just ?2,000. Such an appraisal is not inherently damning to a young hurdler’s prospects, however, as five of the thirty-four juveniles to have left Mark Johnston’s at public auction for less than ?5,000 would be winners; including Rupestrian who won this very contest in 2009 for Tim Vaughan after fetching ?4,000 at the DBS Lincoln Sale. Her new handler, Nigel Hawke, has a respectable record in the sphere with a 20% winner to runner rate that increases to 26.47% with flat sourced horses. The lion’s share of this success come from those from Jim Bolger’s with seven of the ten such horses winning. Indeed, the winner-to-runner rate for those not trained by Jim Bolger drops to 9.38%. Furthermore, Nigel Hawke’s juveniles invariable improve for experience with his first-time strike rate being a mere 4.69%. Fascinating Rock has one of the better records of the sires represented in this field but is still below average by general standards with his sole winner from seven being the Joseph O’Brien trained Faron, and his clear round rate of 80.95% being low by any measure. Intriguing Lady’s uncle did win a juvenile hurdle, albeit a weak Stratford seller, and apart from minor winner Manjaam at 3/2, jumping prowess on the damline is negligible before reaching Mengli Khan at 4/2. Even if Intriguing Lady has somehow learned to settle better over the past ten weeks, there were already concerns over her stamina and given her likely freshness and trainer’s modus operandi, the challenge posed by Hexham is unlikely to see her to best effect.

National Charter bf Chris Grant f5-0-1 (62) 70
Lawman (Big Shuffle){1-h}(1.40) 0.5 Tiki Fire 90 2nd 2m Fillies' Juvenile Maiden Hurdle, Hereford 2022
Like her half-sister Tiki Fire, National Charter commanded a price tag of 140,000 guineas at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Also like Tiki Fire, she returned to Tattersalls before embarking on a juvenile hurdling career. While Tiki Fire ran on the flat for Karl Burke, National Charter started off with William Haggas whose seventy-one graduates count twenty-three winning juveniles amongst them. While many ex-Haggas horses were above-average on the flat, those rated seventy and lower still have a solid winner-to-runner rate of 20.75%. National Charter raced just once at two, finishing just over four lengths fourth in a seven-furlong Lingfield novice and shaping as though she would come on for the experience. Nothing went right when tailed off at Newcastle in January, but there was improvement in her next couple of outings when just the wrong side of midfield at Southwell over a mile, and Wolverhampton over a mile and four on her handicap debut in March. Her best effort came last time out, running off 61, over a mile and six at Wetherby where she doubled in price from 6/1 in the morning, before being trimmed into 8/1 in the ring. Held up towards the rear, she made headway along the turn for home and travelling well at the three pole, looked to make a strong challenge after getting the hang of things at the distance. Though she was unable to see out the race as well as the front pair, she held on for third by a neck from a next time out winner while emerging a stone to the good on these terms against the reopposing Bukela. Her sire, Lawman, is the most established of those represented in this line-up while also boasting a solid winner to runner rate of 20.75%. As well as being a half-sister to Tiki Fire, who managed to place in a pair of fillies’ maiden juveniles last term before moving to Germany for ?4,800, National Charter is related to several winning jumpers (incidentally of Teutonic stock) in Dollar Star (3/1), Dictum (3/2), Don Cossack (4/3) and Dubai Star (4/4). Local-ish trainer Chris Grant has a fair record in the sphere with his winner-to-runner rate of 18.75% improving to 20% when isolating flat recruits purchased at public auction; including three-time winner Lazy Darren who also fetched 16,000 guineas back in 2007. However, less can be said of his improvement rate of 23.81% and his only first-time winner from thirty-three came courtesy of an ex-French import who won in February 2011 and had upwards of ten pounds over his rivals on flat form. While National Charter is an improving sort with a fairly interesting profile, her trainer’s lack of recent winner and dearth of first-time winners in the sphere are not encouraging.

Strong prospects
1.Free Chakarte
Reasonable prospects
2.Quickdrawmcgraw
3.Jad Mahal
Feasible prospects
4.National Charter
5.Bukela
Moderate prospects
6.Intriguing Lady
Negligible prospects
7.Exceed All Limits
8.Moonlight Dawn

**Spectre** · 6 June 2022, 10:19 AM

A great write up, and spot on as always Kotki. Good to see you back with a bang.

**Istabraq** · 6 June 2022, 10:28 AM

Kotkijet I missed this before the weekend but just read it, great to see you back...

**Kotkijet** · 16 June 2022, 07:08 PM

Thank you

Apologies for missing the Aintree race - would have been 1.Free Chakarte 2. Mucuna 3. Fast Style 4. All In Peder so probably for the best I was too tired from work to preview a four runner race. Luckily, I was able to get away a few hours early today so here is the preview for a five runner juvenile

Market Rasen – 17th June – Preview
The third juvenile hurdle of the season is set to take place at Market Rasen. While the Lincolnshire track has been the first step towards Triumph glory for the likes of Katchit, Countrywide Flame and Tiger Roll, this particular contest has been fairly typical for the course and the time of year. Exceptions include Orsippus (fourth in 2009), Chic Name (fifth in 2015) and the eventually useful King’s Wharf (second in 2012), but the average winners’ seasonal RPR of 106 is moderate. This year’s line-up is par for the course as while there is a winner and a strong travelling penultimate flight faller taking on a couple of flat winners with interesting pedigrees, the two juvenile hurdles to date have been modest and the flat form is not much better. A sharp, largely flat and right-handed track the course’s winning DIs of 1.27 median, 1.68 mean, are amongst the ten highest in the country although the figures are lower for this race and the completion rate of 83.94% is in the lower third. Notwithstanding, with the ground being described as good (watering to maintain) and none of the five participants being frontrunners, stamina demands are unlikely to be exacting.

Bukela bg Brian Ellison f5-0-0 (54) 63 j1-0-0 (-) 75 ?
Mondialiste (Val Royal){1-x}(0.92) 2/2 Bentons Lad 102 1st 2m4?f Handicap Hurdle (97), Southwell 2018
From 2009, Brian Ellison saddled eight runners without success in this contest before Whiskey And Water won in 2019. This year’s representative, Bukela was initially under the care of Stef Keniry, for whom he was beaten no less than fifteen lengths on each of his three outings last year. Switched to Brian Ellison’s and armed with a basement mark of 55, Bukela showed his first piece of worthwhile form when reappearing in a sixteen-furlong Wetherby Handicap in April. Sent off at 22/1, having drifted from 16/1 to 33/1 in the morning, Bukela was outpaced in the early stages. However, despite showing greenness in the straight, was able to keep on in what was an honestly run contest for a three length fifth of thirteen. The form is taking a fair shape with the winner finishing second at Sandown, and the fourth winning next time out. Bukela’s second appearance of the season came at Redcar over a furlong shorter where he drifted from a morning 3/1 to 5/1. Never getting involved and finishing an eleven length eighth, his being hampered at the start did light him up although it was still a disappointing effort. Switched to hurdles at Hexham a fortnight ago, Bukela became the first of Mondialiste’s offspring to race over hurdles. Standing at a decent 16.1hh, the globetrotting Mondialiste won his first race at four before landing the Woodbine Mile and Arlington Million as well as finishing third in the Prix Jean Prat. Though a son of Galileo, whose winner to runner rate as a grandsire is a decent 27.74%, Mondialiste’s nephew Intello has had one winning juvenile from eight with none improving on their flat form. The damline’s clues to Bukela’s potential hurdling ability are similarly fair at best. Cousin Bentons Lad won three moderate handicap hurdles over intermediate distances, but remaining evidence is sparse until one reaches Lil Rockerfeller at 5/5. Sporting a first-time tongue strap, Bukela attracted strong support in the market, starting the 7/2 second favourite having been available at 10/1 in the morning. Held up towards the rear off an even gallop, he gave plenty of air over the first three flights but was tidier over the next three. Making headway along the back, he was at the quarters of the leaders and yet to be asked any serious question coming down at the penultimate flight; again, jumping big and clipping the flight with his forelegs before stumbling on landing and taking a clattering fall. Bukela did appear to be travelling in accordance with the market confidence but there was still plenty of the race to be run and with the winner disappointing next time, anything other than travelling strongly would have been a negative in what looks a poor race from a form perspective. Moreover, there would also be a concern that the fall might have left a psychological mark as those who fell on their hurdling debut have a 6.83% strike-rate second-time-out (compared to 9.33% for all other second time out runners). Hurdling experience is typically a positive and the market confidence at Hexham would not be dismissed at this stage. However, his flat form is not the strongest in this line-up and there are currently questions to answer.

Fast Forward bg Alan King f10-2-2 (58) 64
Recorder (One Cool Cat){14-c}(0.80) 2/1 Early Doors 153 1st Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle (145), Cheltenham 2019
Trainer Alan King’s record in the juvenile hurdling division is intimidating at all levels. As well as winning Grade Ones with the likes of Katchit, Franchoek, Walkon, Grumeti, and l’Unique, (the first two named introduced at Market Rasen) he also boasts a winner to runner rate of 47.84%, an improvement rate of 50.91%, and of those trained at Barbury Castle during their flat careers, 51.72% would win during their initial campaigns over jumps. Alan King is also adept at readying them first time out as per their 26.14% strike-rate. Even with those rated less than 62 on the flat, three of the eighteen won first-time at a rate of 16.67% (3.37% across all yards). This factor is pertinent to Fast Forward who, after fetching 30,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Guineas Sale as a two-year-old, ended a ten-race spell on the flat with a BHA mark of 58. Starting his career at Sandown last July, Fast Forward finished no better than midfield on his first five outings, but the application of cheekpieces coincided with his reaching the frame in a mile nursery at Newcastle in late November off 46. Following a lacklustre return from a winter break at Southwell in mid-March, Fast Forward broke his duck at Windsor at the beginning of May in a Windsor handicap over an extended eleven furlongs. Weak in the market, sent off at 20/1 having started the day at half that price, Fast Forward settled behind the leaders before being asked for his effort turning into the straight. From there, he was engaged in a protracted battle for the lead in which he ultimately prevailed by a head; the front pair finishing five lengths clear of the remainder. He failed to follow up when next seen towards the end of May in a similar contest at Yarmouth. Ridden more conservatively, he met with an unclear passage at the distance before finishing strongly inside the final furlong; denied a half-length by a subsequent winner. Nevertheless, Fast Forward regained the winning thread when returning to Yarmouth last week, his mark of 55 giving him top-weight. Ridden more prominently in a steadily run contest, he was travelling much the best as the race developed and after hitting the front at the distance, was always doing enough to win by a neck and a head with the fourth a further three lengths behind. There is still room to maneuver in his rating of 58 so it is interesting that connections have opted to switch to hurdling rather than take advantage of his seemingly generous mark. Notwithstanding, there are grounds in his pedigree for doing so as his uncle, Early Doors, won on his hurdling debut as a four-year-old after a brief but fruitful bumper career before going on to win the Martin Pipe Hurdle and the Galway Plate over the next two years. His auntie Yauthym placed in the listed juvenile hurdle at Doncaster, other useful winners, Smaoineamh Alainn and Conclave were produced by the third dam while Scolardy (5/3) and The Young Master (5/6) appear further back. Recorder is one of three first-season jumps stallions represented here and although he retired after winning the Acomb Stakes, his prospects for the sphere are not negligible. As per Bukala’s profile, sons of Galileo can produce juvenile hurdlers and though a little on the short side at 16.0hh, was bred to be a stayer with his being a full-brother to a couple of useful sorts with wins over the Leger trip and beyond (one being Call To Mind), and DI of 0.77. Fast Forward has a progressive profile with his best flat form bettered by only one rival and as he is the only runner to have been ridden prominently with success, he could be the pace angle in a contest won by his strong and in-form trainer with another newcomer, Red Mercury, in 2011.

Ha Long Bay chg Adrian Paul Keatley f9-2-0 (70) 74
Mastercraftsman (Bushranger){8}(3.00) 3/1 Arch Rebel 145 1st Juvenile Hurdle (G2), Leopardstown 2004
Following a nine race spell on the flat, Ha Long Bay comes into this contest with a mark of 70, which gives him the best part of a stone in hand over his rivals. First seeing the racecourse at Beverley last September, Ha Long Bay ran largely with credit on five occasions in novices and nurserys without reaching the frame. Following his winter break, he returned in a seven furlong handicap at Catterick where, racing off 61, was the subject of a plunge; starting the 11/4 favourite having opened at 8/1 in the morning. Caught for toe in the early stages and seemingly making heavy weather of things at the distance with more than half the field still ahead of him, Ha Long Bay was able to finish strongly once the penny dropped, passing five rivals inside the final furlong to win in the final strides by a neck. Reappearing under a penalty at Redcar eight days later over an extra furlong, Ha Long Bay justified favouritism to land a brace. Settled in midfield but making steadier headway, he was battling for the lead at the furlong marker before winning by a neck from a previous winner. The revised mark of 72 put an end to his winning streak but he still ran with credit when a one-paced fourth in a Class 3 at York, before struggling to make an impression at Beverley last time when stepped up to twelve furlongs. Subsequently dropped to 70, the impression is that Ha Long Bay has reached his ceiling on the flat. However, a switch in codes is not an unreasonable move based on his breeding. Mastercraftsman is firmly established as one of the stronger stallions in the division with only Galileo and Montjeu producing more winning juveniles since 2004/05. While the distaff side is primarily based in the States, talented juvenile Arch Rebel is out of the third dam while useful US jumps winners Call Me Sonny and Old Timer appear at 4/2 and 5/3 on the damline. Trainer Adrian Paul Keatley has had a winning juvenile, but that came when Champagne Terri (trained by Keatley on the flat and of a similar ability to Ha Long Bay) scored at the third time of asking; making his overall record one win from thirty-two starts. That Keatley has also gone the best part of a month without a winner with his last ten runners failing to reach the frame, the enthusiasm created by Ha Long Bay’s pedigree and flat superiority is tempered.

Mucuna bf Milton Harris f8-1-0 (49) 55 j1-1-0 (-) 86 94
Guiliani (Gold Away){14-b}(0.89) 2/1 Capellini 98 1st 2m Handicap Hurdle (93), Plumpton 2013
Prior to his forced sabbatical, Milton Harris was no slouch when it came to juvenile hurdlers; saddling Modul to win the Grade 2 Summit and Finesse Hurdles in 2003/04 and subsequently guiding Gulf Punch (rated 45 and claimed for ?5000), Pseudonym (also claimed for ?5000), Rosie’s Glory (rated 60) and Moonfleet (rated 57) to the winners’ enclosure. Nevertheless, since his glorious return to the shores of Hoofiana, Harris has proven himself in no uncertain terms with an excellent winner to runner record of ten from twenty capped by last season’s hugely admirable Knight Salute. He has started the current season as he ended the last by winning a juvenile hurdle at Aintree with the 49 rated Mucuna. Her first five outings, commencing last October, came on the all-weather; starting at triple digit prices on each occasion with her best effort coming with a midfield finish in a mile Handicap at Kempton off 46. However, the switch to turf and a step up to ten furlongs saw her get off the mark at Salisbury back in April. Held up in midfield and racing widest of all, she was asked for her effort half a mile from home. It took a while for her to move through the gears, but she did run on strongest of all; taking it up in the final hundred yards and winning by three quarters of a length. The field finished in a heap but while the form amounts to little, Mucuna was clearly the best on the day. She was unable to follow up in a couple of Bath handicaps off 50 during May, finishing fourth on both occasions, but it was apparent that the track did not see her to best effect. The switch to hurdling came last week at Aintree and while she was backed from 20/1 into 4/1 second favourite, this was not a clandestine move as there was plenty of evidence for a good showing in a weak race. Although her rating is a low one, Milton Harris, since his return, has trained Romeo’s Bond (55) to win, and Global Agreement (56) to place first time. Mucuna’s pedigree was also feasibly conducive as Guiliani (another first-season sire) is a nephew of Getaway and the damline contains winners Capellini (2/1), listed class handicapper Beringneyev (3/1), Mahogany Blaze (4/3) and Petit Mouchoir (5/5). Held up last of four, in a race ran at a galop comparable to the handicap on the card, Mucuna was novicey over the first three flights as she was steady and awkward over one and two and jumped left while leaving her hind legs in the third. Nevertheless, she was more fluent thereafter and though behind her two remaining rivals when turning for home, was close up and ultimately the last to come off the bridle. Despite being squeezed out at the final flight, she took the lead in a matter of strides and with the rail to help, ran out a decisive and enthusiastic three-length winner. All told, she did not have to improve on her flat form to land the spoils and she is in deeper waters here if her opponents run to scratch. Notwithstanding, her willingness and proven hurdling ability still count for something and with the yard in decent form, Mucuna should put up a respectable showing.

Shipton Moyne bf Richard J Bandey f5-0-0 (45) 51
Coach House (Kyllachy){4-n}(3.00) 2/2 Mongolia 58.0/111 1st 3800m 4yo Fillies’ Conditions Hurdle. Angers 2020
Finishing a ten length sixth on her racecourse bow at Kempton in December, Shipton Moyne has been unable to match that effort in four subsequent outings. Having ran over seven furlongs and a mile prior to a break, she was last seen at Windsor in early May over an extended eleven furlongs where she finished weakly some twelve lengths behind Fast Forward. Sire Coach House has had a winner from three juveniles, and cousin Mongolia won in the French provinces at four. However, the remainder of the damline (which includes Treve and Triptych) is weak as far as jumpers are concerned, Kyllachy is an underwhelming influence in the sphere and is zero from one with his juveniles.

tl:dr
Bukela – Modest maiden on flat but not without ability and trainer is capable in sphere. Well backed when falling two-out at Hexham. Too early to confidently ascertain where he might have finished but potential effect on his psyche adds to ponderous profile

Fast Forward – Progressive on flat, showing good attitude when winning two of last three starts at low level. With outstanding trainer, has interesting pedigree and could be suited by pace composition.

Ha Long Bay – Highest rated on flat by best part of a stone and is bred for the game. Switch to hurdling may be due to lack of options on flat and trainer not well established in field.

Mucuna – Winning handicapper on flat at low grade. Trainer is highly skilled with juveniles and suitable pedigree saw her make a winning hurdles bow at Aintree. Form probably amounts to little but experience should have her in good stead.

Shipton Moyne – Very little on flat and trainer not proven in discipline. Hints of promise in patchy pedigree but still plenty to find.

Strong prospects
1. Fast Forward
Reasonable prospects
2. Mucuna
3. Ha Long Bay
Feasible prospects
4. Bukela
Moderate prospects
.
Negligible prospects
5. Shipton Moyne

**BigChaang** · 17 June 2022, 09:21 AM

Excellent Write up Kotkijet . As always.
Not sure i will get involved today , but will watch the race with interest.

.

**Kotkijet** · 20 June 2022, 06:13 PM

Cheers BC!

You were right to avoid the Market Rasen race. This could be similar fare although there could be something for those who like very selective trends...

Newton Abbot – 21st June – Preview
The first three juvenile hurdles this season have all gone to the fillies. This is more a statistical cluster than systematic trend which plays out in the long term and at Newton Abbot, Intriguing Lady will be the sole vanguard for her sex against Dicktate and four other geldings. Held for the first time last season, the only other juvenile contest held at Newton Abbot during June was won by the classy Barizan in 2009. Otherwise, while good juveniles such as Cracker Factory, Leoncavallo and Hiconic, along with eventually useful sorts in Vosne Romanee, Fire Dragon and Olofi, have graced the Westernmost track in the country during the summer, such events are typically modest affairs with the average winner’s seasonal RPR being just short of 110. This maiden juvenile is rather par for the course as the sole participant with experience failed to impress first time, and although a couple of the newcomers have fair flat form for the time of year, neither have substantial profiles. A tight, left-handed track, Newton Abbot’s average winning DIs of 1.40 median, 1.51 mean make it one of the least demanding in the country insofar as stamina is concerned. Jumping is a slightly different matter as its clear round rate of 94.31% is lower than average, and this drops to 91.32% for newcomers which ranks it the ninth lowest in Britain and Ireland. Newton Abbot is also one of the less predictable racecourses with the mean ISP of 8.10 also the ninth lowest. The going is currently good with the ground being regularly watered to maintain.

Alphonse Le Grande bg Ed Dunlop f14-1-3 (68) 75
Sea The Stars (Zoffany){1-n}(1.15) 3/1 Darley Sun 130 1st 2m6f Novices’ Hurdle, Stratford 2013
The Dunlop name is synonymous with flat racing with Harry and Ed following in their father’s footsteps by landing numerous top races at home and abroad. However, while the pater John was responsible for introducing Wahiba Sands to the jumps world, his sons have had such an impact on the game. Harry made it one from sixty-six at Uttoxeter last December, while Ed has yet to score in three attempts dating back to May 1989. The latter has had a fair spell on the flat recently and will be hoping Alphonse Le Grande can help him to draw level with his brother. One pound shy of bringing the highest flat rating into the race, Alphonse Le Grande is also the most experienced, and most accomplished runner in this field. A veteran of fourteen starts, he made his debut last July at Newmarket, finishing no closer than nine lengths to the winner in three outings. Switching to handicaps and stepping up to a mile, he was beaten less than four lengths off 67 at Wolverhampton and following a gelding operation and two month break, got to within half-a-length of breaking his duck at Kempton. The maiden victory finally came his way at the ninth attempt, just before Christmas in a Wolverhampton nursery over an extended nine furlongs off 67. Since then, his tally has not been doubled, nor has he has reached the frame in five subsequent outings; one on New Year’s Eve and four this spring at distances up to a mile and a half. Nevertheless, despite looking ponderous on occasion, he had been running to a consistent level while shaping as though he would thrive over further (Being such an anomaly, his last appearance, which saw him finish tailed off at Beverley having never settled, may well be forgiven). While damsire Zoffany was never tried beyond a mile, and dam Dolce Strega won a Group 3 over seven furlongs, stamina is still a key feature in Alphonse Le Grande’s pedigree. Sea The Stars has a fine winner to runner rate of 32.26% in the sphere while granddam is a half-sister to three winning jumpers over twenty furlongs and further; including the 2009 Cesarewitch winner, Darley Sun. Neither ability nor stamina are matters for concern, although even forgiving the latest outing, the trainer’s non-existent record in the division and the possibility that this race may be too sharp are not readily ignored.

Beerenberg bg Brian Barr f9-0-2 (56) 61
National Defense (Evasive){14-b}(1.40) 3/1 Tsar Noir 57.0 2nd 4500m Grand Steeple-Chase Ville de Deauville (L,52.0), Clairefontaine 2019
Initially with Joseph O’Brien, Beerenberg finished tenth at Cork last May, and eleventh at Naas in August before fetching 2,500 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn sale. There was a hint of promise on his British debut when fourth in a Kempton maiden before rounding off the year with a tepid performance on his handicap debut at Southwell. 2022 began with a second placing in a Wolverhampton seller over an extended mile where, along with finishing a length and a half ahead of Intriguing Lady, was arguably (but not decidedly) unlucky not to finish closer. Beerenberg’s four subsequent outings all came in handicap company and while his rating dropped to 55, he was never worse than midfield and his third at Chelmsford over ten furlongs saw his mark increase by a pound. Brian Barr has yet to have a winning juvenile from five and none of the four with more than one jumps race to their name was able to match their flat form. National Defense is a first-season sire and his credentials are not outstanding. Less than half of Invincible Spirit’s stallions have produced winners in the sphere, and National Defense is not the tallest at 16.0hh. Nevertheless, he did win over a mile at two and along with being a cousin of Adayar, is from the family of Aachen and Aalim. Beerenberg’s damline also affords distant glimmers of encouragement as the granddam is a half-sister to multiple winner Bright Sparky, and capable French handicap chaser Tsar Noir. Beerenberg is improving at his own rate, although he is still around a stone short of the best flat form and his head carriage could count against him along with his trainer’s negligible form in the sphere.

Captain Square chg Tom Lacey f6-0-2 (69) 74
Sir Percy (Duke Of Marmalade){1-m}(0.33) 3/1 Overturn 167 2nd Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham 2012
By Sir Percy (Knight Salute, winner-to-runner rate of 31.82%) and from the family of Chocala (2/1), Fisher Bridge (3/1) and Overturn (3/1), Captain Square has the most interesting pedigree in this line-up. Moreover, while he was a six-race maiden on the flat for Andrew Balding, his official rating 69 is the highest brought into the race. His first three outings all came over seven furlongs last July where he followed a midfield finish at Sandown (behind Derby also-ran Sonny Liston) with third (behind 1000 Guineas runner-up Prosperous Voyage) and fourth (behind Royal Lodge winner Royal Patronage) place finishes at Epsom. Captain Square got no closer five lengths to the aforementioned, but he did shape as though further would suit and his allotted mark of 72 was not unduly harsh. However, following an eight month break and a gelding operation, this potential did not play out in practice as Captain Square failed to make any real impression in a pair of twelve furlong handicaps in April. At Southwell, he failed to settle in a falsely run contest, but had no such excuse next time at Lingfield where he beat only one home. Captain Sqaure’s sights were lowered for his return to turf at Leicester and while all but one of his rivals were rated higher, his receiving weight all round and being much the least exposed saw him sent off the even money favourite. However, he failed to settle once again and although he led momentarily at the distance, was clear second best on the day. Following the race, Captain Square was claimed for ?12,000 to join a Tom Lacey yard with two winners from ten in the sphere; both scoring at the first time of asking. Andrew Balding has supplied 108 juveniles to the division since 2004/05 and twenty of those were winners; including the likes of Knight Salute, Hollow Tree and Flaxen Flare. However, the improvement rare of 22.78% is a low one and of the six who were bought out of selling and claiming races, not one win was achieved from their twenty-eight runs combined. Captain Square has plenty going for him on his flat ability, pedigree and trainer’s respectable first time record. However, he is another who may find this contest on the sharp side and that he found himself in a seller while under the care Andrew Balding could be ominous.

Dicktate bg Roger Teal f5-0-0 (62) 64
Lawman (Pivotal){3-d}(1.20) 2/2 Catherine Chroi 46 12th 3yo Maiden Hurdle , Fairyhouse 2021
After finishing well beaten on his debut at Kempton last August, Dicktate was not disgraced during the Autumn over ten furlongs at Bath and Goodwood; for all that he was beaten a combined fifteen lengths. However, his season ended with a tailed off eighth of nine at Newmarket and the revised mark of 64 still looked beyond him on his sole start this year when he was beaten twelve lengths at Salisbury with no apparent excuses to be made. Roger Teal’s jumps strike rate of 4% drops to 0% when isolating juvenile hurdlers with eight horses contributing to his zero from seventeen strike rate. The credentials of his sire, Lawman, are better as while his offspring are seldom better than ordinary, their winner-to-runner rate of 20.37% is solid. The damline is more patchy as the closest winning jumper, First Man, appears at 4/3.

Hill Station bg Gary Moore f4-0-0 (56) 59
Born To Sea (Tobougg){11-d}(1.00) 1/0 Fulani’s 10th 3200m 3yo Conditions Hurdle, Compiegne 2011
On BHA ratings, Hill Station is the worst treated on these terms with his mark of 56 a fair reflection of a lacklustre four-race career. Three outings last year saw him finish no closer than eighth to the winner and his handicap debut on his seasonal reappearance at Wolverhampton five weeks ago resulted in an eleven length eighth. Unfancied in the market, he was not sharp enough to get involved in the mile and a half contest and was allowed to coast home in the straight as he passed beaten horses. There is little encouragement on the distaff side either as his dam, the only relative with hurdles experience, finished well beaten as a three-year-old in France. Nevertheless, there are elements of encouragement in Hill Station’s profile. His sire, Born To Sea (Aspire Tower, A Wave Of The Sea) has a solid winner to runner rate of 23.33% and his improvement rate of 50% is the strongest of the sires represented here. Gary Moore’s winner-to-runner rate of 36.57%, is much the strongest in this field and his record in Newton Abbot juveniles stands at 40%. Moreover, his first-time strike-rate of 19.25% is well above average and interestingly, when isolating those he trained on the flat himself, his first-time record at the track is four winners from four; the horses in question carrying BHA ratings of 68, 62, 59 and 59 again. Hill Station has to leave his flat form well behind, even though he was tenderly ridden on his reappearance during a time when the yard was coming out of a cold spell. In a contest where the leading contenders have shadows hanging over their profiles, Gary Moore’s record with his sort could be telling.

Intriguing Lady bf Nigel Hawke f12-0-3 (50) 66 j1-0-0 (-) 58 72
Fascinating Rock (Invincible Spirit){9-e}(1.13) 2/1 Arthurian 87 1st 2m?f Juvenile Selling Hurdle, Stratford 2008
Along with twelve flat outings to her name, Intriguing Lady is the most experienced hurdler set to face the starter by virtue of her running at Hexham early this month. She was formerly trained by Mark Johnston who, since 2005, has been the most prolific supplier of juvenile hurdles with 212 former inmates of Kingsley House taking up the vocation. For context, Mick Channon is next on the list with just three others reaching triple digits. Of those 212, fifty were winners, giving a healthy rate of 23.58%, although less than a third would improve on what they had shown for Johnston. The latter factor would be a matter of concern for Intriguing Lady whose early promise was fleeting and has been supplanted by disappointment. Her debut came at Ayr last August where, sporting a hood, she finished second of four behind a fair and experienced rival and ahead of a pair that have subsequently achieved little. Running green and down the field on her next two starts, she posted her career best on her handicap debut in a seven-furlong Newcastle nursery in October off 65. She was arguably unlucky when sixth in a Chelmsford claimer on her seventh and final start as a two-year-old, but on her first four starts of 2022, finished last in a handicap, last in a claimer, third in a seller won by a 54 rated animal, then eighth of nine in a Southwell handicap. Intriguing Lady was last seen finishing midfield in a Wolverhampton handicap where, sporting her fourth form of headgear, refused to settle before weakening late on. After this final outing, Intriguing Lady went to the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale where she commanded just ?2,000. Such an appraisal is not inherently damning to a young hurdler’s prospects, however, as five of the thirty-four juveniles to have left Mark Johnston’s at public auction for less than ?5,000 would be winners. Her new handler, Nigel Hawke, has a respectable record in the sphere with a 19.70% winner to runner rate that increases to 25.71% with flat sourced horses. The lion’s share of this success come from those from Jim Bolger’s with seven of the ten such horses winning. Indeed, the winner-to-runner rate for those not trained by Jim Bolger drops to 8%. Furthermore, Nigel Hawke’s juveniles invariable improve for experience with his first-time strike rate being a mere 4.62%, and second time rate just 5.88%. Fascinating Rock’s record is below average by general standards with his sole winner from eight being the Joseph O’Brien trained Faron, and his clear round rate of 81.82% being low by any measure. Intriguing Lady’s uncle did win a juvenile hurdle, albeit a weak Stratford seller, and apart from minor winner Manjaam at 3/2, jumping prowess on the damline is negligible before reaching Mengli Khan at 4/2. Drifting from 9/1 to 14/1 at Hexham, all concerns manifested in the contest itself as she raced keenly, made errors at most flights before weakening tamely on leaving the back and finishing well beaten. Some experience is better than none, the sharper test might suit and the yard came close to breaking its dry run with a neck second last week. However, considerable improvement would still be required for her to feature strongly here.

Strong prospects
1. Hill Station
Reasonable prospects
2. Captain Square
3. Alphonse Le Grande
Feasible Prospects
.
Moderate prospects
4. Beerenberg
5. Intriguing Lady
6. Dicktate
Negligible prospects
.

**BigChaang** · 21 June 2022, 06:04 AM

Another one to watch rather than participate in , i think Kotkijet.

..

**Cashew King** · 21 June 2022, 04:52 PM

Spot on Kotkijet - was going to hose up wasn’t it

**HoldenTheReins** · 21 June 2022, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by Cashew King View Post

Spot on Kotkijet - was going to hose up wasn’t it

Yes it was

**Atlantic Viking** · 21 June 2022, 05:22 PM

That was brutal. Great shout though.

**Kotkijet** · 30 June 2022, 05:58 PM

I think the echoes caused by the sound of my soul being utterly obliterated have just finished reverberating. Tomorrow's race offers no potential of the glory that comes with highlighting a horse right before a huge plunge and a day ahead of it winning how it likes... But it's still a race I guess...

NEWTON ABBOT - 1st July - Preview
Four runners are set to face the starter in the latest instalment of the juvenile hurdles; the second consecutive one to take place at Newton Abbot. Given that the bulk of what could be written about these participants has already been written in previous previews, and that my energy levels are quite minimal, I am going to be quite lazy on this one. Essentially, I will post their titles, most recent profiles, and add onto them an overview of subsequent performances and anything that may be useful in the context of this contest. Hopefully, this will not become a habit but, out of necessity, it will have to be utilised today.

Good juveniles such as Cracker Factory, Leoncavallo and Hiconic, along with eventually useful sorts in Vosne Romanee, Fire Dragon and Olofi, have graced the Westernmost track in the country during the summer. However, as a rule, such events are typically modest affairs with the average winner’s seasonal RPR being just short of 110. This particular juvenile was first held when opening the delayed 2020 season and was taken by Hiconic who ruled that particular summer. Last year’s renewal produced four subsequent winners, although only fourth placed Koi Dodville could be considered above average. Connections of Koi Dodville are represented here by Free Chakarte; one of two previous winners in the line-up. The remaining half of the field has shown little to date.

A tight, left-handed track, Newton Abbot’s average winning DIs of 1.40 median, 1.51 mean make it one of the least demanding in the country insofar as stamina is concerned. Jumping is a slightly different matter as its clear round rate of 94.03% is lower than average. Newton Abbot is also one of the less predictable racecourses with the mean ISP of 8.10 also the ninth lowest. The going is currently good, all intended watering has been completed, and no further rain is expected before post time.

Beerenberg bg Brian Barr f9-0-2 (56) 61 j1-0-0 (-) 54 68
National Defense (Evasive){14-b}(1.40) 3/1 Tsar Noir 57.0 2nd 4500m Grand Steeple-Chase Ville de Deauville (L,52.0), Clairefontaine 2019
Preview for Newton Abbot 21st June
Initially with Joseph O’Brien, Beerenberg finished tenth at Cork last May, and eleventh at Naas in August before fetching 2,500 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn sale. There was a hint of promise on his British debut when fourth in a Kempton maiden before rounding off the year with a tepid performance on his handicap debut at Southwell. 2022 began with a second placing in a Wolverhampton seller over an extended mile where, along with finishing a length and a half ahead of Intriguing Lady, was arguably (but not decidedly) unlucky not to finish closer. Beerenberg’s four subsequent outings all came in handicap company and while his rating dropped to 55, he was never worse than midfield and his third at Chelmsford over ten furlongs saw his mark increase by a pound. Brian Barr has yet to have a winning juvenile from five and none of the four with more than one jumps race to their name was able to match their flat form. National Defense is a first-season sire and his credentials are not outstanding. Less than half of Invincible Spirit’s stallions have produced winners in the sphere, and National Defense is not the tallest at 16.0hh. Nevertheless, he did win over a mile at two and along with being a cousin of Adayar, is from the family of Aachen and Aalim. Beerenberg’s damline also affords distant glimmers of encouragement as the granddam is a half-sister to multiple winner Bright Sparky, and capable French handicap chaser Tsar Noir. Beerenberg is improving at his own rate, although he is still around a stone short of the best flat form and his head carriage could count against him along with his trainer’s negligible form in the sphere.

Supplement
Available at 12/1 in the morning, Beerenberg was steady in the ring and started the 8/1 fourth favourite of six. Held up towards the rear, he was not a complete natural to jumping as he was given to hopping, skewing and steadying at numerous hurdles. While the leading pair were out of reach by the time he made some headway on the turn for home, he did jump the penultimate flight in third position. However, it is concerning that he attempted to pull himself up when hampered by a faller and his twenty-three length last of four finishers is reflective of his ability and aptitude.

Free Chakarte bf David Pipe f6-2-1 (32.0) 63 j2-1-1 (-) 90 98
Highland Reel (Pivotal){13-e}(0.82) 2/1 Libeccio 126 1st 2m4?f Handicap Hurdle, Plumpton 2016

https://www.equidia.fr/chevaux/free-chakarte

Preview for Hexham 4th June
David Pipe won this race in 2010 with Lucky Quay, and last year with Koi Dodville; who had been bought out of a French claimer on his previous start. While Koi Dodville cost the same connections €14,506 after finishing second at Saint-Cloud, French Chakarte was slightly pricier at €17,001 following her win at Fontainebleau thirty-eight days ago. The road to Fontainebleau began last June with a staying-on third in a 1400m newcomers race at La Teste de Buch under the care of Simone Brogi. Disappointing on her return to the venue the following month, Free Chakarte was switched to Christophe Ferland’s yard and was next seen at Toulouse in March over 2100m where she finished in midfield; fading having led to the furlong marker. Later that month, a switch to handicapping (off a valeur of 33 (72.6) and more patient tactics back over a mile at La Teste failed to pay off as she got very warm and finished well beaten. Free Chakarte was then dropped to claiming company which saw her finally get off the mark at Royan in a 1600m contest on souple ground worth €8,000. Initially setting the pace, she slotted behind the leaders going into the back before regaining the lead turning for home and fending off a better travelling rival to win by three-quarters of a length. She conceded five-and-a-half kilos to the 29.0 rated runner-up and was nearly nine pounds better than the fifty-six rated third. The form has not been well advertised since, but it would still be worth a rating in the mid-high sixties. Later in April, Free Chakarte completed the double at Fontainebleau in a 2000m claimer worth more than twice the Royan contest. Stalking the leader from the outset, she was asked for her effort at the distance and though her immediate response was to wander under pressure, she straightened out inside the final furlong and had the measure of her rivals to the tune of a decisive length at the finish. She was getting weight from the first three to follow her home, but with them all rated between 30.0 (66) and 34.0 (74.8), another mark in the mid-high sixties would not be wide of the mark. Two of the nine juveniles formerly trained by Christophe Ferland were winners with each also able to score on their first runs in Britain. David Pipe is not shy about buying juveniles from French claimers and five of the twelve sourced in this fashion were winners; giving a winner runner rate of 41.67% which compares favourably to the 20.45% for all other trainers. While three of these would take a few runs to find their mark, the most recent pair – Adagio and Koi Dodville – did score at the first time of asking. Free Chakarte’s sire, Highland Reel, is one of two in this contest having their first forays in National Hunt racing and is also a globetrotting son of Galileo. However, while Mondialiste leaned towards the mile end of middle-distances, Highland Reel won five times over a mile and a half including a King George and a Coronation Cup. Highland Reel is the shorter of the two, measuring at 16.0?hh, but despite his Antipodean flat heritage, is a 3/3 relative of Starspangledbanner; a sire emerging as rather adept with juvenile hurdlers. While preferring livelier ground as a racehorse, Highland Reel is getting winners on soft. All the same, as a probable source of stamina with good ground ability, Highland Reel has the attributes to enjoy success with summer jumpers. The distaff side of Free Chakarte’s pedigree also has some potential for the sphere as evidenced by uncle Libeccio who finished second in the juvenile handicap at Sandown before winning fairly useful hurdles over middle distances. Though unlikely to set the scene alight, Free Chakarte has less questions to answer than her opponents here and comes into the race with a solid chance.

Supplement
Free Chakarte shortened from 13/8 to 6/5 in the Hexham ring and was ultimately the only horse in the race. Sent to the front from flagfall, she posted a decent round of jumping with her only errors coming when skewing over the fifth, clipping the sixth and being untidy over the last when a very long way clear of her rivals. There is little to say about the form, particularly as the only seemingly feasible threat fell at the penultimate flight, and the time compared to the other races over the distance on the card was modest. Nevertheless, she was eased inside the final furlong and needed to do little more than required of her on the day. She made a quick reappearance at Aintree six days later and, in what looked no stronger a contest than at Hexham, was sent off the 2/5 favourite. However, while securing the lead was done quite easily, she did not settle quite so well as her first outing and her jumping also declined by a degree or two. Free Chakarte did trade as low as 1.29 in-running and was still leading on the bridle jumping two out, but an untidy jump at the last saw her concede the lead and she was relegated to third inside the final hundred yards. The most obvious explanation – that the race came too soon after Hexham – is probably the most plausible one and having enjoyed a three-week break, she will be the freshest coming into this contest. Moreover, she is weighted to reverse placing with her Aintree victor, Mucuna, and with the sharper Newton Abbot looking to suit her better than the aforementioned, not to mention her being the most apparent pace angle and her win over a mile in France, her prospects look solid.

Mucuna bf Milton Harris f8-1-0 (49) 55 j1-1-0 (-) 86 94
Guiliani (Gold Away){14-b}(0.89) 2/1 Capellini 98 1st 2m Handicap Hurdle (93), Plumpton 2013
Preview for Market Rasen 17th June
Prior to his forced sabbatical, Milton Harris was no slouch when it came to juvenile hurdlers; saddling Modul to win the Grade 2 Summit and Finesse Hurdles in 2003/04 and subsequently guiding Gulf Punch (rated 45 and claimed for ?5000), Pseudonym (also claimed for ?5000), Rosie’s Glory (rated 60) and Moonfleet (rated 57) to the winners’ enclosure. Nevertheless, since his glorious return to the shores of Hoofiana, Harris has proven himself in no uncertain terms with an excellent winner to runner record of ten from twenty capped by last season’s hugely admirable Knight Salute. He has started the current season as he ended the last by winning a juvenile hurdle at Aintree with the 49 rated Mucuna. Her first five outings, commencing last October, came on the all-weather; starting at triple digit prices on each occasion with her best effort coming with a midfield finish in a mile Handicap at Kempton off 46. However, the switch to turf and a step up to ten furlongs saw her get off the mark at Salisbury back in April. Held up in midfield and racing widest of all, she was asked for her effort half a mile from home. It took a while for her to move through the gears, but she did run on strongest of all; taking it up in the final hundred yards and winning by three quarters of a length. The field finished in a heap but while the form amounts to little, Mucuna was clearly the best on the day. She was unable to follow up in a couple of Bath handicaps off 50 during May, finishing fourth on both occasions, but it was apparent that the track did not see her to best effect. The switch to hurdling came last week at Aintree and while she was backed from 20/1 into 4/1 second favourite, this was not a clandestine move as there was plenty of evidence for a good showing in a weak race. Although her rating is a low one, Milton Harris, since his return, has trained Romeo’s Bond (55) to win, and Global Agreement (56) to place first time. Mucuna’s pedigree was also feasibly conducive as Guiliani (another first-season sire) is a nephew of Getaway and the damline contains winners Capellini (2/1), listed class handicapper Beringneyev (3/1), Mahogany Blaze (4/3) and Petit Mouchoir (5/5). Held up last of four, in a race ran at a galop comparable to the handicap on the card, Mucuna was novicey over the first three flights as she was steady and awkward over one and two and jumped left while leaving her hind legs in the third. Nevertheless, she was more fluent thereafter and though behind her two remaining rivals when turning for home, was close up and ultimately the last to come off the bridle. Despite being squeezed out at the final flight, she took the lead in a matter of strides and with the rail to help, ran out a decisive and enthusiastic three-length winner. All told, she did not have to improve on her flat form to land the spoils and she is in deeper waters here if her opponents run to scratch. Notwithstanding, her willingness and proven hurdling ability still count for something and with the yard in decent form, Mucuna should put up a respectable showing.

Supplement
Though very well supported ahead of her Aintree bow, the market was rather lukewarm on her chances as she drifted from a morning 6/4 to 11/4 at the off. Held up off the pace, by some distance at stages, Mucuna’s standard of jumping was just below that of her debut. Having made headway into a threatening position rounding the turn for home, she was caught for toe as the race developed and a pair of awkward jumps over the last two flights did her no favours. The run-in at Market Rasen is the best part of two furlongs so she had plenty of time to put a strong finishing burst together. However, while she managed to eventually grab second in front of the stands, there was still over four lengths between herself and the winner at the line. The contest looked hotter than at Aintree but the prize went to the rank outsider and as few of her rivals really took to hurdles, the performance can only be regarded as a downgrade. Furthermore, Mucuna also hinted at a preference to jumping to her right, and while this was not a problem at Aintree, it could be one at Newton Abbot if symptomatic of an ingrained physiological issue. Mucuna has already beaten Free Chakarte and although the latter is better weighted, this could be offset by her rider’s claim. Notwithstanding, the characteristics of Newton Abbot do give weight to the argument that the Aintree placings can be reversed.

Intriguing Lady bf Nigel Hawke f12-0-3 (50) 66 j2-0-1 (-) 61 69
Fascinating Rock (Invincible Spirit){9-e}(1.13) 2/1 Arthurian 87 1st 2m?f Juvenile Selling Hurdle, Stratford 2008
Preview for Newton Abbot 21st June
Along with twelve flat outings to her name, Intriguing Lady is the most experienced hurdler set to face the starter by virtue of her running at Hexham early this month. She was formerly trained by Mark Johnston who, since 2005, has been the most prolific supplier of juvenile hurdles with 212 former inmates of Kingsley House taking up the vocation. For context, Mick Channon is next on the list with just three others reaching triple digits. Of those 212, fifty were winners, giving a healthy rate of 23.58%, although less than a third would improve on what they had shown for Johnston. The latter factor would be a matter of concern for Intriguing Lady whose early promise was fleeting and has been supplanted by disappointment. Her debut came at Ayr last August where, sporting a hood, she finished second of four behind a fair and experienced rival and ahead of a pair that have subsequently achieved little. Running green and down the field on her next two starts, she posted her career best on her handicap debut in a seven-furlong Newcastle nursery in October off 65. She was arguably unlucky when sixth in a Chelmsford claimer on her seventh and final start as a two-year-old, but on her first four starts of 2022, finished last in a handicap, last in a claimer, third in a seller won by a 54 rated animal, then eighth of nine in a Southwell handicap. Intriguing Lady was last seen finishing midfield in a Wolverhampton handicap where, sporting her fourth form of headgear, refused to settle before weakening late on. After this final outing, Intriguing Lady went to the Tattersalls Ascot March Sale where she commanded just ?2,000. Such an appraisal is not inherently damning to a young hurdler’s prospects, however, as five of the thirty-four juveniles to have left Mark Johnston’s at public auction for less than ?5,000 would be winners. Her new handler, Nigel Hawke, has a respectable record in the sphere with a 19.70% winner to runner rate that increases to 25.71% with flat sourced horses. The lion’s share of this success come from those from Jim Bolger’s with seven of the ten such horses winning. Indeed, the winner-to-runner rate for those not trained by Jim Bolger drops to 8%. Furthermore, Nigel Hawke’s juveniles invariable improve for experience with his first-time strike rate being a mere 4.62%, and second time rate just 5.88%. Fascinating Rock’s record is below average by general standards with his sole winner from eight being the Joseph O’Brien trained Faron, and his clear round rate of 81.82% being low by any measure. Intriguing Lady’s uncle did win a juvenile hurdle, albeit a weak Stratford seller, and apart from minor winner Manjaam at 3/2, jumping prowess on the damline is negligible before reaching Mengli Khan at 4/2. Drifting from 9/1 to 14/1 at Hexham, all concerns manifested in the contest itself as she raced keenly, made errors at most flights before weakening tamely on leaving the back and finishing well beaten. Some experience is better than none, the sharper test might suit and the yard came close to breaking its dry run with a neck second last week. However, considerable improvement would still be required for her to feature strongly here.

Supplement
Intriguing Lady was sent off the 20/1 outsider of the field but there was improvement from her Hexham showing. Held up in the rear, she settled much better and her jumping also saw significant improvement with her skewing over the second being the only error of note. Nevertheless, she was still treading water on the turn for home and but for her remaining rivals pulling themselves up after the penultimate flight mele, she may have finished last. In fairness, she was carried widest of all by the loose horse and though she had no chance with the winner and less chance with the would-be winner, she is beginning to look one that could work with a reasonable mark.

Strong prospects
1. Free Chakarte
Reasonable prospects
2. Mucuna
Feasible prospects
.
Moderate prospects
3. Intriguing Lady
Negligible prospects
4. Beerenberg

**Kotkijet** · 9 July 2022, 05:30 PM

Stratford – 10th July – Preview
Since 2005, nine juveniles competed at Stratford during the summer before running in the Triumph. While most finished well beaten at the festival, Fair Along and Barizan would find only one too good during the 2005/06 and 2009/10 campaigns respectively. Ironically, the aforementioned failed to score at Stratford before going on to better things. Those that have won corresponding runnings of Sunday’s contest include Callisto Moon and Leoncavallo, who won in 2007 and 2015 before following up in the Wensleydale, and Simarian who in 2008 would land the Grade 2 Prestbury Hurdle. Nevertheless, as is often the case with these events, such horses are outliers and the typical standard of this contest is modest with the average winner’s seasonal RPR being 107.53. This year’s renewal features three previous winners, although their Cheltenham aspirations are quite slim as the standard of the nineteen juveniles seen to date this term has been modest. Neither is there a great deal to be said of the three maidens introduced to the fold from the flat. Notwithstanding, the field is set to be the joint largest seen thus far and the race ought to be competitive if nothing else so it should be an intriguing contest for what it is.

Despite being a sharp and generally flat track which seldom sees winter ground, Stratford still presents one of the sternest stamina tests for juvenile hurdlers. The winning Dis of 0.97 median, 1.21 mean, are lower only at Cheltenham, Chepstow, Hexham and Worcester with only Hexham having the largest discrepancy between the DIs of winners and beaten horses. The completion rate of 81.26% is also in the bottom ten, although it is somewhat fairer as a jumping test with a clear round rate of 95.41% falling fractionally below average. It is not a venue which is particularly kind to debutants with the comparative strike-rate for newcomers being worse at just two British courses. The ground is currently good and, with warm weather anticipated, will be watered to maintain. Shipton Moyne made all to make a winning debut at Market Rasen last time and with several of these happy to race prominently, the pace should be an honest one.

Captain Square chg Tom Lacey f6-0-2 (69) 74 j1-1-0 (-) 82 88
Sir Percy (Duke Of Marmalade){1-m}(0.33) 3/1 Overturn 167 2nd Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham 2012
By Sir Percy (Knight Salute, Parliament Hill, winner-to-runner rate of 33.33%) and from the family of Chocala (2/1), Fisher Bridge (3/1) and Overturn (3/1), Captain Square probably has the most interesting and complete pedigree seen in the division this season. Moreover, while he was a six-race maiden on the flat for Andrew Balding, his official rating 69 is a pound off the highest brought into the race. His first three outings all came over seven furlongs last July where he followed a midfield finish at Sandown (behind Derby also-ran Sonny Liston) with third (behind 1000 Guineas runner-up Prosperous Voyage) and fourth (behind Royal Lodge winner Royal Patronage) place finishes at Epsom. Captain Square got no closer five lengths to the aforementioned, but he did shape as though further would suit and his allotted mark of 72 was not unduly harsh. However, following an eight month break and a gelding operation, this potential did not play out in practice as Captain Square failed to make any real impression in a pair of twelve furlong handicaps in April. At Southwell, he failed to settle in a falsely run contest, but had no such excuse next time at Lingfield where he beat only one home. Captain Sqaure’s sights were lowered for his return to turf at Leicester and while all but one of his rivals were rated higher, his receiving weight all round and being much the least exposed saw him sent off the even money favourite. However, he failed to settle once again and although he led momentarily at the distance, was clear second best on the day. Following the race, Captain Square was claimed for ?12,000 to join a Tom Lacey yard which, prior to Newton Abbot, was two winners from ten in the sphere; both scoring at the first time of asking. Andrew Balding has supplied 108 juveniles to the division since 2004/05 and twenty of those were winners; including the likes of Knight Salute, Hollow Tree and Flaxen Flare. The improvement rare of 22.78% is a low one and of the six previous juveniles who were bought out of selling and claiming races, not one win was achieved from their twenty-eight runs combined. This dire record was ended by Captain Square when he made a successful start to his new career at Newton Abbot nearly three weeks ago; albeit in most fortuitous circumstances. Not without supporters, he started the day as 6/5 favourite and while a plunge horse forced him out, he was still solid in the market; starting the race as 2/1 second favourite. Taking a keen hold just behind the vanguard, there was room for improvement in his jumping as he was low at the first, went left at the third, hopped over the fourth and skewed over the next. As the field left the back second time, Captain Square was the only one to just about keep tabs on the near-certain winner who led him by around four lengths when leaving him in a clear lead at the penultimate flight. Ponderous in his own company, he had to be chivvied along on the run to the last where he was ponderous. Nevertheless, he was so far clear that nothing more was asked of him as he coasted home by fifteen lengths. Given how the contest developed and how Captain Square closed out the race, it is improbable that he would have fared better than second had the leader maintained verticality. The winning time was modest and the form in behind is modest with the second and fourth running a nothing race next time out. Moreover, this is a much more competitive race and he is effectively carrying a penalty for finishing second. Moreover, his pulling in the early stages and laziness in the closing stages at Newton Abbot are causes for concern. Notwithstanding, Captain Square has the best flat form of 2022, shaped as though he should improve for hurdling experience and is bred to appreciate the test afforded by Stratford so he would not be readily discounted.

Mucuna bf Milton Harris f8-1-0 (49) 55 j3-2-1 (-) 91 98
Guiliani (Gold Away){14-b}(0.89) 2/1 Capellini 98 1st 2m Handicap Hurdle (93), Plumpton 2013
Prior to his forced sabbatical, Milton Harris was no slouch when it came to juvenile hurdlers; saddling Modul to win the Grade 2 Summit and Finesse Hurdles in 2003/04 and subsequently guiding Gulf Punch (rated 45 and claimed for ?5000), Pseudonym (also claimed for ?5000), Rosie’s Glory (rated 60) and Moonfleet (rated 57) to the winners’ enclosure. Nevertheless, since his glorious return to the shores of Hoofiana, Harris has proven himself in no uncertain terms with an excellent winner to runner record of ten from twenty capped by last season’s hugely admirable Knight Salute. He has started the current season as he ended the last by winning a juvenile hurdle at Aintree with the 49 rated Mucuna. Her first five outings, commencing last October, came on the all-weather; starting at triple digit prices on each occasion with her best effort coming with a midfield finish in a mile Handicap at Kempton off 46. However, the switch to turf and a step up to ten furlongs saw her get off the mark at Salisbury back in April. Held up in midfield and racing widest of all, she was asked for her effort half a mile from home. It took a while for her to move through the gears, but she did run on strongest of all; taking it up in the final hundred yards and winning by three quarters of a length. The field finished in a heap but while the form amounts to little, Mucuna was clearly the best on the day. She was unable to follow up in a couple of Bath handicaps off 50 during May, finishing fourth on both occasions, but it was apparent that the track did not see her to best effect. The switch to hurdling came a month ago at Aintree and while she was backed from 20/1 into 4/1 second favourite, this was not a clandestine move as there was plenty of evidence for a good showing in a weak race. Although her rating is a low one, Milton Harris, since his return, has trained Romeo’s Bond (55) to win, and Global Agreement (56) to place first time. Mucuna’s pedigree was also feasibly conducive as Guiliani (another first-season sire) is a nephew of Getaway and the damline contains winners Capellini (2/1), listed class handicapper Beringneyev (3/1), Mahogany Blaze (4/3) and Petit Mouchoir (5/5). Held up last of four, in a race ran at a galop comparable to the handicap on the card, Mucuna was novicey over the first three flights as she was steady and awkward over one and two and jumped left while leaving her hind legs in the third. Nevertheless, she was more fluent thereafter and though behind her two remaining rivals when turning for home, was close up and ultimately the last to come off the bridle. Despite being squeezed out at the final flight, she took the lead in a matter of strides and with the rail to help, ran out a decisive and enthusiastic three-length winner. All told, she did not have to improve on her flat form to land the spoils, but her willingness and proven hurdling ability did not go unnoticed. Mucuna returned to the track a week later at Market Rasen and, though very well supported ahead of her Aintree bow, the Market Rasen market was rather lukewarm on her chances as she drifted from a morning 6/4 to 11/4 at the off. Held up off the pace, by some distance at stages, Mucuna’s standard of jumping was just below that of her debut. Having made headway into a threatening position rounding the turn for home, she was caught for toe as the race developed and a pair of awkward jumps over the last two flights did her no favours. The run-in at Market Rasen is the best part of two furlongs so she had plenty of time to put a strong finishing burst together. However, while she managed to eventually grab second in front of the stands, there was still over four lengths between herself and winner Shipton Moyne at the line. The contest looked hotter than at Aintree but the prize went to the rank outsider and as few of her rivals really took to hurdles, the performance can only be regarded as a downgrade. Furthermore, Mucuna also hinted at a preference to jumping to her right, and while this was not a problem at Aintree, it could have been one at Newton Abbot nine days ago if symptomatic of an ingrained physiological issue. Fortunately for her followers, this proved not to be the case; at least not in a way that was entirely detrimental to her winning chances. While the habit of jumping across her hurdles was actually more pronounced on her latest effort, she often went markedly to her left on this occasion which may indicate that she simply likes jumping toward the inner. The Newton Abbot contest was essentially a match between herself and Free Chakarte. Though the longer priced of the pair during the day’s exchanges, they were almost level at the off with Mucuna going off a fraction longer at 6/5. Still racing keenly on her third jumps outing in as many weeks, she was soon tracking the leader having initially raced third of four. Her hurdling was not wholly fluent as along with going to her left, she skewed at the first, was untidy at the second, tight at the fifth, big at the sixth and slow away from the last two. Despite these errors however, she was travelling best once the race was between the two principals within the microcosm of a Newton Abbot battle, Mucuna’s stamina edge (and possibly her rider’s allowance) told over her rival’s speed. Indeed, given how the race developed, it is to her credit that she was able to earn the victory and while it probably amounts to little, the race was the strongest in the division this term from a time perspective. There is a Market Rasen beating to overturn with Shipton Moyne and this being her fourth run within a month will be a concern. Nevertheless, Mucuna does meet Shipton Moyne on better terms (even discounting the conditional allowance), the race should be ran at a more even gallop, her form is the strongest in the line-up and Stratford does have the potential to bring out further improvement. Moreover, as demonstrated by Appreciate in the previous race, Milton Harris is adept at running in-form horses multiple times within a short window of time.

Dicktate bg Roger Teal f5-0-0 (62) 64 j1-0-0 (-) 63 66
Lawman (Pivotal){3-d}(1.20) 2/2 Catherine Chroi 46 12th 3yo Maiden Hurdle , Fairyhouse 2021
After finishing well beaten on his debut at Kempton last August, Dicktate was not disgraced during the Autumn over ten furlongs at Bath and Goodwood; for all that he was beaten a combined fifteen lengths. However, his season ended with a tailed off eighth of nine at Newmarket and the revised mark of 64 still looked beyond him on his sole flat start this year when he was beaten twelve lengths at Salisbury with no apparent excuses to be made. Insofar as a switch to hurdling is concerned, the credentials of his sire, Lawman, are better as while his offspring are seldom better than ordinary, their winner-to-runner rate of 20% is solid enough. However, the damline is more patchy as the closest winning jumper, First Man’s success coming in a three-mile Catterick Handicap, appears at 4/3. Roger Teal’s jumps strike rate of 6.7% drops to 0% when isolating juvenile hurdlers with nine horses contributing to his zero from eighteen strike rate. Dicktate was the latest to add to this record when making his jumps bow behind Captain Square at Newton Abbot. Drifting from 17/2 to 18/1 in the ring, Dicktate was prominent in the opening stages but his being hampered at the first foreshadowed a round of mostly slow and cautious jumping which saw him fall back to midfield. Already ridden along going out into the second lap, he was disputing a distant third when the leader fell at two out. Having to avoid the faller, Dicktate attempted to pull himself up shortly afterwards and while he consented to continue, it was without enthusiasm, ultimately finishing a twenty length third behind the winner. Those he split were over fifty lengths behind Mucuna next time out, and though experience entitles him to a modicum of improvement, there would have to be a dramatic upturn in enthusiasm and aptitude.

Fast Style bg Sam Allwood f5-1-2 (70) 70 j1-0-0 (-) 0 0
Camacho (Dalakhani){3-d}(1.00) 3/1 Colenso 111 1st 2m Handicap Hurdle (110), Tramore 2019
Though twelve ex-Roger Charlton juveniles have won since 2004/05, their overall record is ordinary with their winner-runner rate being 18.46%, and improvement rate a modest 20.93%. While Fast Style’s official rating of 70 is the highest in this race, his price tag of 15,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Autumn Sale is low for a successful prospective juvenile from the yard. The rating came courtesy of his getting off the mark at the fifth time of asking in an October Kempton nursery over a mile from a perch of 66. His rating that day of 66 was fair based on his two previous efforts at the venue, but the performance was not enough to keep him at Beckhampton. He joined a Sam Allwood yard which is starting to get its jump winners, although none of the six juveniles to date have obliged in thirteen runs. Fast Style’s breeding is little more encouraging as while Camacho has had three winning juveniles, it is at a below average rate of 11.54% . Grandam Pearl Dance finished third in a Moyglare Stud Stakes, and the first jumpers appear from the third dam; who produced winning handicapper Colenso, as well as the dam of fair French jumper Ejo Pritchard. Despite making his hurdles bow in a weak looking four-runner event at Aintree last month, these factors did not prevent Fast Style’s drifting from a 7/1 morning show to 25/1 at post time. In the race itself, he failed to settle fully behind the leaders, jumped moderately and was detached after jumping the last in the back whereafter he was pulled up.

Mutara bg Sean Curran f8-0-3 (55) 62
Muhaarar (Lucky Story){3-c}(0.78) 3/2 Ramonex 136 1st 2m3f Handicap Chase (120), Catterick 2018
Making his debut at Kempton in February, Mutara finished no better than midfield on his first three outings. However, in five outings since his switch to handicaps in early April, he has yet to finish outside of the first four. It should be noted that these performances came off mark decreasing from 55 and that the winners’ enclosure has thus far eluded him; but by the same token, he has been a consistent animal. He was doing his best work towards the finish when third over eleven furlongs at Windsor in early May (Shipton Moyne was seven and half lengths behind) and returning to the turf after a Wolverhampton fourth, would twice find only one too good. At Leicester, he was no match for a horse who recently completed a four-timer, and at Chepstow three weeks ago, was bested by another subsequent winner. Mutara did little wrong on either occasion and has little to answer for in terms of attitude. For all of his honesty, his stamina is not entirely assured and the pedigree is not wholly encouraging. Muhaarar has had one winner from seven juveniles and the jumpers that appear on the damline prior to Ramonex at 3/2 have been poor. Sean Curran has had winners in the division; albeit at a winner to runner rate of 9.52% with zero from twenty scoring first time out. Though of modest ability on the flat, there are elements within his profile to suggest he can at least match his flat form although it is not obviously likely that he can do so at the first time of asking.

Rolypolymoly bg Adam West f7-0-1 (63) 69
Heeraat (Monsun){1-k}(0.60) 2/1 Zoffalee 135 1st 2m1f 4yo Handicap Hurdle (112), Ballinrobe 2019
Currently rated 63 on the flat, Rolypolymoly has the highest mark of the three newcomers and could also be the most fairly treated animal in that sphere. After finishing sixth of nine on his debut at Salisbury last September, he round off his two year old campaign with midfield finishes at Goodwood and Kempton which earned him a BHA figure of 67. He ran to a similar level when midfield on his return at Pontefract over a mile in April, but shaped better when stepped up ten furlongs at Nottingham and Leicester, despite taking a keen grip at the latter when finishing just over three lengths behind in third. His last appearance came four weeks ago at Salisbury, carrying top weight in a class four handicap over a mile and a half. He was supported into 7/2 second favouritism having been available at 5/1 but while he settled well enough in midfield, found himself with little room once the race picked up off a modest tempo. Whatever chance he held at the furlong marker was extinguished as he was blocked off once again and he was resigned to beating just one home. Though it can not be said that he was definitely an unlucky loser, he should have finished closer than he did in a race where the front two have both scored since. Rolypolymoly‘s damline offers flashes of optimism for his new vocation as he is out of a Monsun (34.29% winner to runner as a damsire) half-sister to capable hurdler Zoffalee. However, sire Heeraat was a sprint bred sprinter and none of his five juveniles to date have finished better than sixth in the sphere. As such, while he has form over ten and twelve furlongs, these came in falsely run contests so he will be relying on his damline for stamina here. Moreover, trainer Adam West has failed to saddle a winning juvenile from seven in sixteen starts, with the only respite being that two did improve on their flat form without reaching the frame. A generous assessment of Rolypolymoly’s flat profile suggests that there is the ability and potential stamina to make an impact here. However, the record of his sire and trainer, along with the poor record of newcomers in this contest, conspire to temper enthusiasm.

**Kotkijet** · 9 July 2022, 05:30 PM

Shipton Moyne bf Richard J Bandey f5-0-0 (45) 51 j1-1-0 (-) 82 90
Coach House (Kyllachy){4-n}(3.00) 2/2 Mongolia 58.0/111 1st 3800m 4yo Fillies’ Conditions Hurdle. Angers 2020
Since finishing a ten length sixth on her racecourse bow at Kempton in December, Shipton Moyne was unable to match that effort in four subsequent flat outings. Having ran over a mile at Kempton (beaten twenty-eight lengths) and seven furlongs at Chelmsford (beaten fifteen lengths) prior to a break, her latest flat spin came at Windsor in early May over an extended eleven furlongs where she finished weakly some twelve lengths behind Alan King’s Fast Forward. Prior to switching to jumps at Market Rasen, sire Coach House had a winner from three juveniles, and cousin Mongolia won in the French provinces at four. However, the remainder of the damline (which includes Treve and Triptych) is weak as far as jumpers are concerned until reaching the fair Balkeo at 4/4. Moreover, Kyllachy is an underwhelming influence in the sphere with one winner from twenty-nine as a sire, and zero from three as a damsire. On paper, there was little reason to suspect that Shipton Moyne would be able to reverse the significant gap between herself and Fast Forward, or match the standard set by Mucuna. Trainer Richard Bandey’s previous juvenile had failed to win, although his record at Market Rasen is three winners from six and Shipton Moyne had not gone unbacked; starting the day at 40/1, going as low as 14/1 in the ring before starting at 20/1. Leading or disputing from the outset, the front pair were about a dozen lengths clear passing the post first time although the pace was not overly strong. Her hurdling was not entirely neat as she was given to skewing slightly and landing somewhat steeply. Nevertheless, it was certainly proficient enough to quickly get from one side to the other and as her rival faded on leaving the back, she took full advantage of getting first run on the remainder; maintaining a steady advantage that amounted to four and a half lengths at the line. The performance was something of a revelation although the winning time was weak and if one assumes that the second and third underperformed (there are feasible reasons for both being true) then she did not have to improve a great deal on her flat form to win that contest. There was plenty to like about the way Shipton Moyne went about things at Market Rasen and being unexposed, she is very much open to further improvement; although the suspicion is that improvement will probably be vital in these circumstances.

My Rosa’s Gold chf Nigel Hawke f10-0-0 42 (48)
Havana Gold (Verglas){16-e}(1.18) 3/1 Pigeon Island 146 1st Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle (G2), Kempton 2008
Nigel Hawke, can claim a respectable record in the sphere with a 19.40% winner to runner rate that increases to 25.71% with flat sourced horses. The lion’s share of this success comes from those who started with Jim Bolger; seven of the ten such horses winning as juveniles. Indeed, the winner-to-runner rate for those not trained by Jim Bolger drops to 8% and neither that were trained for the flat in Stoodleigh were successful. Furthermore, Nigel Hawke’s juveniles invariable improve for experience with his first-time strike rate being a mere 4.62%, and second time rate just 5.77%. The latest to attempt breaking this trend is the ten race maiden My Rosa’s Gold. During her career, only twice has she been beaten less than four lengths; when she was eighth off 45 in a Lingfield nursery, and three outings ago at Bath off 46. She weakened on her only try at nine furlongs or beyond, and her latest two appearances saw her beaten eleven and eighteen lengths off 46. Sire Havana Gold has a strike-rate of 5.41% in the division, although the improvement rate of 42.86% is reasonable, albeit from a small sample. The damline is quite encouraging as Verglas has three winners from twelve as a damsire, the dam is a half-sister to two winning hurdlers in Telemachus and Nakoma while the third dam produced the talented Pigeon Island along with winning juvenile Dalmo along with On Alert who won at four. Without the distaff side to the pedigree and her trainer’s overall ability, My Rosa’s Gold would be easily overlooked as a prospective hurdler. Trepidation still persists on the basis of her flat ability and the yard’s slow burning approach, but there may be a longer term future when handicaps become an option.

Strong prospects
1. Mucuna
Reasonable prospects
2. Shipton Moyne
3. Captain Square
Feasible/Moderate prospects
4. Mutara
5. Rolypolymoly
6. My Rosa’s Gold
7. Fast Style
Negligible prospects
8. Dicktate

tl;dr
Captain Square – Flat form amongst the better in this field and is bred to do well over hurdles. Won on hurdling debut but was fortunate in doing so and aspects of his performance give cause for concern. Nevertheless, is entitled to improve and should benefit from conditions.

Mucuna – Winner on flat at modest level and with trainer who knows how to train juveniles. Already two wins from three in new vocation and latest effort was best yet despite unfavourable test. Every chance for better here and rider offsets double penalty.

Dicktate – Profile not most conducive to game and showed questionable attitude when well beaten on Newton Abbot debut.

Fast Style – Highest official rating in line-up but unraced in 2022 prior to Aintree where big drifter and pulled up before leaving back.

Mutara – Modest maiden but has shown himself to be consistent at his level since handicapping. Pedigree and trainer not negligible for new career but will probably benefit from experience.

Rolypolymoly – Comparatively decent on flat and attitude is improving. Nephew of faily capable sort but records of sire and trainer are not encouraging here.

Shipton Moyne – Surprise winner on hurdles bow at Market Rasen but perhaps did not accomplish a great deal. Likeable performance first time and scope for improvement but not certain to confirm placings with Mucuna due to weight and conditions.

My Rosa’s Gold – Shown very little on flat but interesting damline. Trainer is capable but usually starts slowly

**BigChaang** · 10 July 2022, 01:46 PM

Nailed that Race Kotkijet ..

.Well done . and excellent preview as always.

.

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