Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle Runners
Arctic Bresil
A rare non festival runner on these shores for top Irish trainer Henry De Bromhead. An expensive purchase from the Irish point field having finished runner up in a maiden in November 2021. He’s had just the one run for De Bromhead when easily winning a twenty two runner Cork maiden hurdle last December from a well touted Willie Mullins hurdling newcomer (3rd and 4th soundly beaten since). He’s hard to assess and could be anything although more will be needed here upped into grade. Rachael Blackmore is over to ride the six year old.
Authorised Speed
Trainer Gary Moore has talked up this progressive six year old who ran 5th in last season’s Champion Bumper. He’s done nothing wrong in two starts over hurdles when a very easy winner at Lingfield and over course and distance where his only blemish was when smashing the last. Moore is on record as saying he adores soft ground so the softer the better for this Jamie Moore ridden gelding who must go well.
Blow Your Wad
Followed up a good second at Ascot on his hurdles debut in October by landing the odds laid on him at Kempton a month later. He only mastered Carrigdoun Boy on the run in and that one has flopped since in handicap company. Trained by Tom Lacey and ridden by Stan Sheppard. Will need to improve to take a hand in the finish.
Colonel Harry
A winning point to pointer, he stepped up from his debut second at Uttoxeter to make all and win easily in a maiden hurdle over course and distance last November on heavy ground. Jamie Snowden is having a good season and although he may not be good enough expect him to be prominent throughout on ground he won’t mind. Gavin Sheehan takes the reigns.
L’Astroboy
Trained in Wales by Evan Williams. Unbeaten in a Ffos Las bumper (where he beat one of today’s favourites in Tahmuras when going off an unfancied 25/1 chance) and a maiden hurdle at the same track on soft ground when just pushed out to win by 3 1/4L. That form hasn’t worked out but the fact he had Tahmuras behind on his debut gives him a place chance at a big price.
Nemean Lion
Rated 94 on the flat when trained in France by Andre Fabre where he ran a credible second in a group 2 contest over the Arc weekend at Longchamp. Has joined the Kerry Lee stable based in Herefordshire and was a impressive winner at Hereford in November when a seemingly unfancied 14/1 poke. Runner up at Haydock since and another who will need to raise his game to worry the principals. Richard Patrick takes the ride.
Tahmuras
Paul Nicholls trains the improving six year old owned by Noel Fehily Racing. A dual bumper winner last season (only defeat came at the hands of L’astroboy at Ffos Las) he’s looked good in winning at Chepstow and Haydock on soft ground. Impressive in listed company last time and sets the standard here under Harry Cobden. His trainer mooted this as his next target after that win and must go close.
Ukantango
Only has 5lb to find on official ratings but Olly Murphy’s six year old who ran well last time at Cheltenham when runner up to Fennor Cross may be flattered by that mark and will need to step up again to play a prominent part in this hot race. Aidan Coleman takes the ride.
Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle Tips
The winner is likely to come from one of the front trio in the market with preference for the Gary Moore trained Authorised Speed who will love the boggy conditions and is already proven at the track. Paul Nicholls’ Tahmuras looks a big danger having won so well at Haydock and with his stable having a stable chock full of smart novices. Irish challenger Arctic Bresil is hard to evaluate and it would be no shock were he to play a part in the finish under Rachael Blackmore. Best of the rest maybe Evan Williams’ Welsh challenger L’Astroboy who’s unbeaten in two starts and has a defeat on his CV over Tahmuras.
Selection: Authorised Speed 9/4 bet365
Each Way Value: L’Astroboy 16/1 bet365 1/5th 123
All odds accurate at the time of writing
