1.55pm The Invest Southwest Maiden Hurdle (DIV I

Third Race 1.55

The Invest Southwest Maiden Hurdle Race (Class 4) (Div I) (GBB Race)

for maiden four yrs old and upwards x Total prize fund £8800 Owners Prize Money. 1st £3672, 2nd £1837, 3rd £918, 4th £459. (Penalty Value £4792.48)

2m 104y

Race Description

The term ‘maiden’ inspires thoughts of damsels in distress but in horse racing terms it takes on a different meaning. When a horse is referred to as a maiden, be it a colt or a filly, it simply means that they have yet to win a race. Many of the runners aged four-yearsold and upwards in this two miles and half a furlong race will still be inexperienced over hurdles and almost certainly improve for the racecourse experience that they gain today.

Br Breeding O Owner B Breeder J Jockey T Trainer S Sponsor

colours no horse

1 BASCULE (FR) (9) 4-0

Br Ch g Kendargent (FR) - New River (IRE)

age

st-lb 5 11-8

Brendan Powell J

O The New River Partnership

Richard Hughes, Upper Lambourn T B The New River Partnership The Garden Cider Company Ltd S TIMEFORMVIEW Useful on the Flat, successful 4 times on the AW at up to 1 3/4m. Hasn’t shown much in a couple of runs in this sphere at Newbury, albeit the races he contested there were probably significantly stronger than this and he’s worth another chance. TFRHHHII BHA2 BLAZING COURT (IRE) (41) 550

Br B g Court Cave (IRE) - Bright Blaze (IRE) O Maughan, Parry, James & Thackray

5 11-8

Adam Wedge J Martin Keighley, Cheltenham T B J. H. Kidd Fbc Manby Bowdler S TIMEFORMVIEW Showed only poor form in a pair of bumpers and fared no better on hurdles debut in November. TFRHIIII BHA-

3 FREDDY BOY (GB) (47) 0-P

Br B g Midnight Legend - Aster (IRE)

7 11-8

Paul O’Brien J

O Mr P. J. Cave David Bridgwater, Stow-on-the-Wold T

B P. J. Cave TIMEFORMVIEW Very green when well held in a Huntingdon bumper in March, and having had a wind op, beaten a long way out when pulled up in novice at Hereford on hurdling debut in November. TFRHIIII BHA-

4 KING’S CASTLE (IRE) (102)

Br B g Camelot - Kikonga O Mr Darren Langley

6 11-8

Rex Dingle J Jeremy Scott, Dulverton T B Kikonga Syndicate Brendon Powerwashers S TIMEFORMVIEWFair performer on that Flat (stays 1 3/4m),performing with credit in handicaps at Epsom and Salisbury for new yard in September. Stamina won’t be an issue now switched to hurdles and could have a part to play if his jumping passes the test. TFRHHIII BHA5 MOODOFTHEMOMENT (IRE) (18) P4P-104

6 11-8

Br Ch g Shantou (USA) - Mood I’m In (GER) O Clan McNeil

Tom Scudamore J David Pipe, Wellington T B Andrew Pierce W & S Recycling S TIMEFORMVIEW Successful (beat sole other finisher) on last of 4 starts in Irish points. Bettered Rules debut effort when fourth of 15 in a heavy-ground Ffos Las maiden hurdle (15.8f) recently and possibilities here if able to build on that. TFRHHHII BHA6 PARC D’AMOUR (IRE) (34) 1-30 BF

Br B g Walk In The Park (IRE) - Mal d’Amour (IRE) O The Strollers

6 11-8

Ciaran Gethings J Kim Bailey, Cheltenham T B Eclipse Bloodstock Ltd Kim Bailey Racing Ltd S TIMEFORMVIEW Won Doncaster bumper on debut last spring and there was promise in his hurdles debut third at Uttoxeter (15.8f) on return in November. Disappointing over the same C&D since but it’s too soon to write this 6-y-o off. TFRHHHII BHA7 THE SCORPION KING (GB) (55) 42-P0

Br B g Scorpion (IRE) - Big Time Billy (IRE) O Adam & Clare Signy

5 11-8

Gavin Sheehan J Oliver Signy, Lambourn T B John Bryan Oliver Signy Racing Llp S TIMEFORMVIEW Showed ability in a couple of bumpers last season, particularly when runner-up at Sedgefield, but there have been very few positives to glean from his efforts over hurdles so far. TFRHIIII BHA8 UNCLE ARTHUR (GB) (37) 3100 D

Br B g Blue Bresil (FR) - Mini Muck O Million in Mind Partnership

5 11-8

Sam Twiston-Davies J Nigel Twiston-Davies, Cheltenham T B Nigel Twiston-Davies Goffs UK Ltd S TIMEFORM VIEW Confirmed his debut promise when landing a 6-runner bumper at Worcester (2m) in June. Poor both starts since switched to hurdles, though, and now has plenty to prove. TFRHIIII BHA-

14

O Bryan Drew and Diana L Whateley

Paul Nicholls, Ditcheat T B Blaise Chorus Partnership Morson Group S TIMEFORM VIEW Fairly useful form in 2 starts on the Flat in Ireland for Andrew Oliver, winner of a 1 1/4m Leopardstown maiden in October (second has won since). Picked up for 215,000 gns later that month and he’s an interesting recruit to hurdling for top yard. TFRHHHHH BHA10 BIRDIE PUTT (IRE) (11) U

Br B f Gleneagles (IRE) - Inch Perfect (USA) O Sam Quigley and Neil Tucker

4 10-2

Tom Buckley (3) J Nigel Hawke, Tiverton T B Inch Perfect Syndicate Junction 24 Ltd S TIMEFORMVIEW Winless following 5 attempts on the level for the Johnstons and, having changed hands for just 2,000 gns last month, she got no further than the first flight on her recent hurdles debut at Doncaster. TFRHIIII BHA-

DECLARED RUNNERS 10 2022: KNICKERBOCKERGLORY (IRE) 6 11 6 Harry Skelton 8-11 (Dan Skelton) 13 ran

Hood worn by No. 8. Tongue Strap worn by No. 4.

Stewards Note:

BLAZING COURT: Following its run on 29/11/2022 it was reported that the horse had lost a shoe. FREDDY BOY: Following its run on 23/11/2022 it was reported that the horse ran too freely. PARC D’AMOUR: Following its run on 6/12/2022 it was reported that the trainer could not explain the poor run. Probable S.P’s: 4-5 Rare Middleton (GB), 13-2 Parc d’Amour (IRE), 7-1 Bascule (FR), 17-2 Moodofthemoment (IRE), 14-1 King’s Castle (IRE), 40-1 Uncle Arthur (GB), 66-1 The Scorpion King (GB), 150-1 Blazing Court (IRE), 200-1 Freddy Boy (GB), 250-1 Birdie Putt (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER

The eyes are immediately drawn to RARE MIDDLETON, who showed plenty in a couple of runs on the level in Ireland for Andrew Oliver and is a potentially useful recruit to this sphere for the Paul Nicholls yard. The weight-for-age allowance he receives from the majority of these is another positive factor. Though well held both starts over hurdles to date, Bascule remains of interest given his Flat ability and Parc d’Amour isn’t written off but Moodofthemoment is preferred for forecast purposes.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.RARE MIDDLETON 2.MOODOFTHEMOMENT (IRE) 3.BASCULE (FR)

The Result

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Distance Time

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Fourth Race 2.30

The Invest Southwest Maiden Hurdle Race (Class 4) (Div II) (GBB Race)

for maiden four yrs old and upwards x Total prize fund £8800 Owners Prize Money. 1st £3672, 2nd £1837, 3rd £918, 4th £459. (Penalty Value £4792.48)

2m 104y

Race Description

The term ‘maiden’ inspires thoughts of damsels in distress but in horse racing terms it takes on a different meaning. When a horse is referred to as a maiden, be it a colt or a filly, it simply means that they have yet to win a race. Many of the runners aged four-yearsold and upwards in this two miles and five furlongs race will still be inexperienced over hurdles and almost certainly improve for the racecourse experience that they gain today.

Br Breeding O Owner B Breeder J Jockey T Trainer S Sponsor

colours no horse

1 ATLANTIC FLEET (IRE) (37) 0

Br B g Beat Hollow - Rosa Fleet (IRE) O Mr & Mrs William Rucker

age

st-lb 5 11-8

Adam Wedge J Evan Williams, Llancarfan T B James Hennelly Tote S TIMEFORMVIEW€50,000 purchase who shaped better than the result when down the field on his Chepstow bumper debut,fading after making headway out wide early in the straight. Quickly switches to hurdles. TFRHHHII BHA2 CHAMPAGNE MESDAMES (FR) (37) 0-0P

Br B g Diamond Boy (FR) - Olerone (FR) O The Wychwood Partnership

6 11-8

Brendan Powell J Joe Tizzard, Sherborne T B A. Le Toux, A. Carolais & K. Gayton Coral Racing Limited S TIMEFORMVIEW No show in a bumper and 2 novice hurdles. Needs first-time blinkers to spark major improvement. TFRHHIII BHA-

3 DANTON (IRE) (34) 5P

Br B g Soldier of Fortune (IRE) - Fair Present (IRE) O Manhole Covers Ltd

6 11-8

Bryan Carver J Harry Fry, Corscombe T B Ms Nell Kelly Manhole Covers Ltd, Grosvenor Sport S TIMEFORMVIEWShowed ability when fifth of 14 in bumper at Exeter on debut in November,not ideally placed.Pulled up afer reportedly losing his action on Utoxeter hurdle debut. Retains potential and could be the one to give Afadil most to do. TFRHHHHI BHA4 KNOWWHENTORUN (GB) (20) 50

Br B g Mayson - Josefa Goya O Homecroft Wealth Racing B Lord Margadale

5 11-8

Tom Bellamy J Roger Teal, Lambourn T Homecroft Wealth S

TIMEFORMVIEW Fair maiden on Flat but has run well below that level in 2 hurdles in recent months. TFRHHIII BHA5 MAMMIES BOY (IRE) (19) 0

Br B g Getaway (GER) - Tonaphuca Girl (IRE) O What’s The Craic Syndicate

5 11-8

Jonjo O’Neill Jr. J Jonjo O’Neill, Cheltenham T B David Valentine Wasdell Group S TIMEFORMVIEW 22/1, hinted at ability when 36 lengths eighth of 14 in 2m Hereford novice hurdle on debut 19 days ago. May do better. TFRHHHII BHA-

6 RUSSIES DREAM (GB) (32) 00-0

Br B g Dream Eater (IRE) - Russie With Love O HOWZAT PARTNERSHIP B Howzat Partnership

7 11-8

James Davies J Chris Down, Cullompton T Woodwarm Stoves S

TIMEFORMVIEW Little encouragement in a couple of bumpers and a C&D novice hurdle. TFRHIIII BHA-

7 TELLAIRSUE (GER) (34) 00

Br Ch g Zoffany (IRE) - Tiangua O Mr Bob Wilson B Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof

5 11-8

Paul O’Brien J David Bridgwater, Stow-on-the-Wold T R. Wilson Contractors Ltd S

TIMEFORMVIEW In need of experience when well held in a bumper and maiden hurdle in recent months. TFRHHIII BHA8 VIA DANTE (IRE) (46) 540

Br B g Milan - Jessies Delight O David Pipe Racing Club

6 11-8

Philip Armson (3) J David Pipe, Wellington T B Tomas Wafer W & S Recycling S TIMEFORMVIEWMaiden pointer who is likely to need more time judged on what he showed in C&D novice (good to soft) on November’s Rules debut. TFRHHIII BHA-

16

O Mr P. J. Vogt

Paul Nicholls, Ditcheat T B S.A. Aga Khan Morson Group S TIMEFORMVIEW French Flat winner in June. Starts out over hurdles in a weak race and he ought to take a bit of stopping, particularly if the betting vibes are strong. Has had wind surgery. TFRHHHHH BHA-

DECLARED RUNNERS 9 2022:NATTY NIGHT 6 11 6 Charlie Deutsch 8-11 (Venetia Williams) 14 ran

Blinkers worn first time by No. 2. Hood worn by No. 8. Tongue Strap worn by No. 4. Running for the first time since Wind Surgery No. 9. Stewards Note: DANTON: Following its run on 6/12/2022 it was reported that the horse hung left and jumped poorly. Probable S.P’s: EVENS Afadil (FR), 3-1 Danton (IRE), 11-1 Mammies Boy (IRE), 16-1 Knowwhentorun (GB), 20-1 Atlantic Fleet (IRE), 33-1 Champagne Mesdames (FR), Tellairsue (GER), 50-1 Via Dante (IRE), 100-1 Russies Dream (GB)

PLAY SMARTER

This would appear to represent a good chance for the Paul Nicholls-trained French Flat recruit AFADIL to make a winning start over hurdles, with confidence in his chance increased should the betting vibes be strong. Danton had an excuse on hurdle debut and showed plenty of ability in a bumper prior to that so he’s the obvious one for the forecast spot.

TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.AFADIL (FR) 2.DANTON (IRE) 3.MAMMIES BOY (IRE)

The Result

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Distance Time

Great British Bonus Scheme

The Great British Bonus (GBB) offers multiple bonuses of up to £20,000 per eligible race for British-bred fillies and mares.

The Racecourse Executive

wish to welcome Mrs Pam Bosley