Friday 18th October 2024
1.35 Uttoxeter: British EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle: My first selection of the day on Friday comes in the 1.35 at Uttoxeter which is a Class 4 novices hurdle over two miles. I think that this can go to Knight Of Allen for the team of Jane Williams and David Noonan. He’s already shown a very solid level of form over hurdles, finishing second to the smart Liari in a Listed event at Aintree last December before winning at Chepstow by four and three-quarters of a length. I think he’s got every chance of being good enough to give away the penalty here and he’s certainly the standard setter. Knight Of Allen – 2/1 (Win)
2.00 Fakenham: £130,000 Prize Money @ Fakenham 1st January Novices’ Hurdle: Next up for me is the 2.00 at Fakenham which is another Class 4 novices hurdle that’s contested over two miles. I’ve gone with The Expensive One here for Nigel Twiston-Davies and James Turner who takes off seven pounds. He’s by Harzand and related to the yards fantastic old yardstick The New One, despite only showing moderate form in his bumpers I think that the obstacles will bring out the best in him and he can take advantage of the rider’s claim here. The yard are also in great form. The Expensive One – 5/1 (Each-Way)
2.35 Fakenham: Tapping House Norfolk Hospice Maiden Hurdle: I’m staying at Fakenham for my third selection and this comes in the 2.35 which is a Class 4 maiden hurdle over two miles and four furlongs. This looks like a great opportunity for Kilbarry Hill to finally open his account for Olly Murphy and he’s the mount of Lewis Stones who takes off three pounds. He’s got a string of placed efforts to his name from last term and it would be disappointing should he not claim that elusive victory over hurdles here. Kilbarry Hill – 11/8 (Win) (NB)
3.30 Haydock: Weatherbys Stallion Book Handicap: It’s over to Haydock now on the flat and the 3.30 which is a Class 4 handicap that’s ridden over a distance of five furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Trilby in this for Sam England and Joe Fanning. He finished second of seventeen last week at York in a Class 3 handicap and was only beaten by a length and a quarter by the eventual winner. He’ll contest this off the same mark and he should take a lot of beating on ground that he shouldn’t have any issues with. Trilby – 7/4 (Win) (NAP)
4.30 Uttoxeter: Quinnbet Handicap Chase: Signing me off for the afternoon will be the 4.30 from Uttoxeter and this is Class 4 handicap chase action over two miles. I think that this particular affair can go to Cabhfuilfungi for the team of Kerry Lee and Liam Harrison. He posted a fine effort here twelve days ago when a neck second on what was his chasing debut, and he’ll contest this event of the same mark as that day. He’ll also have a fitness edge over some of these and I think he could well go one better this time around. Cabhfuilfungi – 4/1 (Win)
