1ST RACE

THE VISIT IRISH STORE SALES WITH ITM NOVICES’ HURDLE RACE (CLASS 4) (GBB RACE)

for novice four yrs old and upwards x Total race value £10700

Owners Prize Money. Winner £4465; Second £2233; Third £1116; Fourth £559. (Penalty Value £5827.22)

FORM ANALYSIS - A CLOSER LOOK

| FACTS | FANCIES | FORM | STATS |

Leading course trainer (17-22): D Skelton (48 wins from 163 runners, 29%) runs VIVA LAVILLA Trainer-in-form (last 14 days): D Skelton (9 wins from 43 runners, 21%) runs VIVA LAVILLA Longest Traveller: AUTONOMOUS CLOUD trained by F O’Brien, Cheltenham, 170 miles.

RACE DESCRIPTION Novice races tend to be for younger horses that are still learning their way over hurdles or fences and allow them to race against each other before graduating up the ranks. Horses are classed as a novice if they have yet to win a race, under the respective code, prior to the official start of the season, towards the end of April although for wins between 1st March and the end of the season they may continue to contest novice races until the end of the following October. This particular two miles and three-and-a-half furlongs novices’ hurdle race is for horses aged four-years-old and upwards which have not won more than two hurdle races.

colours no horse form age st-lb

1 ABUFFALOSOLDIER (IRE) (21) 311 D

5 11-7

Br g Mahler - Adderstonlee (IRE) Owner: Mahler & The Wailers Breeder: Longrove Stud Jockey: Brian Hughes Trainer: Warren Greatrex, Upper Lambourn Sponsor: ACP Worldwide Ltd

TIMEFORM VIEW Strong at the finish when winning Southwell bumper and followed that up on hurdles bow at Wincanton (19.8f), showing a good attitude to dig it out after briefly looking in trouble. Respected. Star RatingHHHHI BHA 2 RAFFERTY’S RETURN (GB) (11) 54-12 D

7 11-7

B g Schiaparelli (GER) - Duchess Theatre (IRE) Jockey: Sean Quinlan Owner: Mr John Wade Trainer: Rebecca Menzies, Sedgefield Breeder: Mr P. L. Barrett Sponsor: John Wade (Haulage) Limited, Stonegrave Aggregates Ltd, Bluegrass Horse Feeds, Arthur J Gallagher (Uk)

TIMEFORM VIEW Some promise in a brace of bumpers and made winning debut over hurdles after 10 months off at Newcastle, jumping fluently/making all. Good second under a penalty over C&D 11 days ago, clear of rest. Star RatingHHHHI BHA 121 3 VIVA LAVILLA (IRE) (32) 1-124

Br g Getaway (GER) - Viva Forever (FR) Owner: Darren & Annaley Yates Breeder: Grove View Stud Limited

6 11-7

Jockey: Harry Skelton Trainer: Dan Skelton, Alcester Sponsor: Ladbrokes, The Air Ambulance Service (Warwickshire & Northamptonshire)

TIMEFORM VIEW Won 19.5f Lingfield maiden hurdle in November and progressive form in defeat in a couple of Grade 2s since, 8 1/4 lengths fourth in Leamington Novices’ Hurdle at Warwick (21f, soft) last time. Form pick. Star RatingHHHHH BHA 128 4 AUTONOMOUS CLOUD (IRE) (22) 10-3

6 11-0

B g Flemensfirth (USA) - August Hill (IRE) Jockey: A. P. Heskin Owner: Mr Terry Warner & The McNeill Family Trainer: Fergal O’Brien, Cheltenham Breeder: Liam Quinn Sponsor: Ultima Business Solutions

TIMEFORM VIEW Winner of bumper at Exeter for Colin Tizzard and encouraging start over hurdles for new yard when third at Leicester on belated return. Looks more of a stayer/chaser, though. Star RatingHHHII BHA 5 BAGHDAD CENTRAL (IRE) (14) 0P015

6 11-0

Br g Mores Wells - Katowice (IRE) Owner: Half a Horse Partnership Breeder: Mrs Mary Mangan Jockey: Charlie Hammond Trainer: Nick Kent, Brigg

TIMEFORM VIEW Winning Irish pointer but well held both starts over hurdles. Star RatingHIIII BHA -

6 BEAT THE EDGE (IRE) (11) P254

B g Beat Hollow - Darsi O’Grady (IRE) Owner: Smartwater Utilities Breeder: Ms M. Kavanagh

5 11-0

Jockey: Thomas Dowson Trainer: Tim Easterby, Malton Sponsor: Easthorpe Hall Stud

TIMEFORM VIEW Runner-up completed start in points (Dec 12) but only hinted at ability both starts over hurdles. Star RatingHHIII BHA -

7 BURROW SEVEN (GB) (40) 52

Gr g Kayf Tara - Gaye Sophie Owner: Burrow Seven Racing Club Breeder: R. F. and S. D. Knipe

5 11-0

Jockey: Oakley Brown (5) Trainer: Jedd O’Keeffe, Leyburn

TIMEFORM VIEW Twice-raced maiden. 150/1, Left debut well behind when third of 12 in novice hurdle at this course (16f, good to soft) 20 days ago. Back up in trip. More needed again. Star RatingHHHII BHA 9 GLEBE ROAD (IRE) (14) 0-164

6 11-0

B g Fame And Glory - Poppy Baloo (IRE) Jockey: Paul O’Brien Owner: Cracker Syndicate Trainer: Charlie Longsdon, Chipping Norton Breeder: Stephanie Hanly Sponsor: Merribelle Stable Llc

TIMEFORM VIEW Thrice-raced maiden under NH rules. 20/1, fourth of 9 in novice hurdle at Leicester (20.5f, soft) 14 days ago. Looks one for handicaps. Star RatingHHIII BHA 10 JOHNSON’S BLUE (IRE) (20) 40

5 11-0

B g Westerner - Annimation (IRE) Jockey: Nathan Moscrop Owner: Geoff Wilson and Cambridge Racing Trainer: Mark Walford, Sheriff Hutton Breeder: Mr J. P. Whelan Sponsor: Mark Walford Racing, Cambridge Bloodstock Ltd.

TIMEFORM VIEW Westerner gelding. Shaped as if in need of the experience when last of 4 in novice hurdle (18/1) at Catterick. Unsuited by drop in trip next time. Star RatingHIIII BHA -

11 PILEUP (IRE) (262) P

B g Valirann (FR) - All Notoriety (IRE) Owner: Grindal,Head & Scarrow Breeder: Butlersgrove Stud

5 11-0

Jockey: Tom Midgley (5) Trainer: Mark Walford, Sheriff Hutton

TIMEFORM VIEW Valirann gelding. Dam unraced half-sister to Queen Mother Champion Chase winner (stays 2 1/2m) Put The Kettle On. Pulled up in sole start in Irish points (May 2021). Star RatingHIIII BHA 12 SIR JIM (IRE) (34) 06-5

7 11-0

B g Shirocco (GER) - Stick Together Jockey: Callum Bewley Owner: Derek Gennard & Gillian Gennard Trainer: Ruth Jefferson, Malton Breeder: J. M. Jefferson Sponsor: Tote

TIMEFORM VIEW Well held in 2 bumpers and on hurdles bow. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Star RatingHIIII BHA -

13 THE PLAYER QUEEN (IRE) (73) 11-15 D

6 11-0

B m Yeats (IRE) - Seductive Dance

Jockey: Craig Nichol Owner: Mr & Mrs Duncan Davidson Trainer: Rose Dobbin, Alnwick Breeder: John Dwan and John Brennan Sponsor: Hazelrigg Racing

TIMEFORM VIEW Point winner who made a successful start under Rules in Cheltenham bumper. Changed hands for £140,000 and looked useful when an easy scorer on hurdles bow at Ayr. Ground a possible excuse at Kelso. Star RatingHHHHI BHA 14 POETRIA (GB) (29) 6430

4 10-0

B f Poet’s Voice - Jozafeen

Jockey: Danny McMenamin Owner: Mrs C. Steel Trainer: Mark Walford, Sheriff Hutton Breeder: Steel’s Thoroughbred Breeding Sponsor: Tote

TIMEFORM VIEW Just modest form at best in bumpers and hurdles form hasn’t worked out.

Star RatingHHIII BHA -

DECLARED RUNNERS 14 2021: BALLYBEGG (IRE) 6 11 2 Richard Patrick 10-11 (Kerry Lee) 14 ran

Tongue Strap worn first time by No. 12. Stewards Note: BAGHDAD CENTRAL: Following its run on 2/2/2022 it was reported that the horse ran too freely. THE PLAYER QUEEN: Following its run on 5/12/2021 it was reported that the trainer could not explain the poor run. Probable S.P’s: 13-8 Viva Lavilla (IRE), 11-2 Abuffalosoldier (IRE), 6-1 Rafferty’s Return (GB), 9-1 The Player Queen (IRE), 12-1 Autonomous Cloud (IRE), 14-1 Burrow Seven (GB), 22-1 Follow Your Arrow (FR), 33-1 Glebe Road (IRE), 66-1 Beat The Edge (IRE), Poetria (GB), 100-1 Johnson’s Blue (IRE), 150-1 Baghdad Central (IRE), 200-1 Sir Jim (IRE), 300-1 Pileup (IRE)

PLAY SMARTER

VIVA LAVILLA has acquitted himself well in a couple of Grade 2s since making a winning hurdle bow at Lingfield and can resume winning ways back down in class. Abuffalosoldier showed a good attitude when following up his bumper win in a novice hurdle at Wincanton and rates the main threat, ahead of fellow penalised-winners Rafferty’s Return and The Player Queen. TIMEFORM PREDICTION: 1.VIVA LAVILLA (IRE) 2.ABUFFALOSOLDIER (IRE) 3.RAFFERTY’S RETURN

THE RESULT

1st.............................................................. 2nd ........................................................... Distance................................................... 3rd ........................................................... 4th ............................................................ Time .........................................................