BOND BROKER outclassed 6 rivals in a bumper at Fakenham when last seen in April and with, this sharp 2m in his favour now hurdling, he'll take a fair bit of stopping. Kapal Layar is open to improvement, with Benmore another to consider.
Bond Broker
Kapal Layar
Benmore
2m Mdn Hrd
Each Way terms: 1/5 odds for first 3 places
1. Ballela Blaze
J: Micheal NolanT: Thomas Gallagher
F: 7-
Price History:
-
Age:
6
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
504
Verdict
Conduit gelding. Half-brother to fairly useful hurdler Clues And Arrows and modest hurdler/chaser Banna Beach, stayed 2¾m. Dam unraced. Easy winner sole start in Irish points in March 2023 but just modest form in a bumper 4 months later.
2. Benmore
J: Brian HughesT: L J Morgan
F: 2
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
31
Verdict
Soldier of Fortune gelding. Half-brother to hurdler Shannon Gray. Dam ran once over hurdles, half-sister to useful hurdler/chaser (stayed 2¾m) Beakstown. Bred for jumping but produced a promising first effort when a keeping-on second in a bumper here last month.
3. Bond Broker
J: Harry SkeltonT: Paul Nicholls
F: 371-
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
hood
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
248
Verdict
Good-ground point winner who landed the odds with a hood fitted on third bumper start at Fakenham in April. Represents top yard and has to be a major player on hurdles debut.
4. Educator
J: Paul O'BrienT: Henrietta C Knight
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
192
Verdict
Fairly useful on Flat (stays 2m), operating bit below best when last seen. Has left Michael Appleby but has the raw ability to be a factor on hurdles debut.
5. Elite Etoile
J: Aaron AndersonT: Mike Sowersby
F: 986
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
19
Verdict
Well held in bumper/maiden hurdle for John Joseph Hanlon and offered nothing for new connections 3 weeks ago.
6. Gore Point
J: Ben GodfreyT: Anthony Honeyball
F: 20-1F
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
hood and tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
32
Verdict
Flat-bred gelding who got back on track following 10 months off when winning 5-runner bumper at Stratford in October, making all and quickening clear straight. Too free and on the retreat when falling on hurdles debut. Hood may help.
7. Kapal Layar
J: Sean BowenT: Olly Murphy
F: 34
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
21
Verdict
Third of 7 in a bumper at Carlisle in October and quickly switched to hurdling, he again displayed ability when fourth at Kempton 3 weeks ago. Expected to build on that.
8. Less Jersey Royal
J: Ben JonesT: Ben Pauling
F: 5-50
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
18
Verdict
Held back by inexperience in a Kempton bumper in February but, after 9 months off, he showed some promise sent hurdling when fifth of 12 in maiden at Leicester (20.5f) in November. Drop to 2m looked against him at Taunton since.
9. Shant Wait
J: Kielan WoodsT: Charlie Longsdon
F: 6
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
13
Verdict
€35,000 3-y-o, fifth foal, half-brother to 2 winners, including fairly useful hurdler Sea Invasion (21f winner, by Sea Moon). Dam 9f-1¾m winner. Held back by mistakes on debut over C&D a fortnight ago.
10. Sharp Distinction
J: Jack QuinlanT: Amy Murphy
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
tongue strap
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
25
Verdict
Fair handicapper on Flat (stays 16.5f), successful at Lingfield last time. Stamina no issue now hurdling and he's one to consider.
11. Zafaan
J: Harry BannisterT: Charlie Clover
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
11-4
Gear:
-
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
139
Verdict
Modest handicapper on Flat (stays 1m), failed to fire in 2024. Has left Kevin Philippart de Foy ahead of hurdles debut.
12. Alexandra Larose
J: Lewis StonesT: Olly Murphy
F: 44-77
Price History:
-
Age:
4
Weight:
10-11
Gear:
hood
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
13
Verdict
Sister to bumper winner/useful 2¾m hurdle winner Shannon Royale. Minor promise on second of 2 starts in bumpers back in the spring for Georgina Nicholls but never dangerous both hurdles outings in recent weeks.
13. Dunstall Angel
J: Jamie HamiltonT: John Mackie
F: 5-9P4
Price History:
-
Age:
5
Weight:
10-11
Gear:
hood
Official Rating:
0
Days Since Last Run:
31
Verdict
Glimmers of ability in a couple of bumpers last season but no form over hurdles so far.