Thursday’s Listed contest has attracted a small but select field, including three last time out winners. All five runners have been analysed below alongside an excellent offer from William Hill, who are offering Bet £10 – Get 30 In Free Bets to new customers.
15:10 Huntingdon – Urban Logistics REIT Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle
GENTLEMAN AT ARMS 11/1
Stuart Edmunds’ GENTLEMAN AT ARMS was formerly a useful handicapper on the flat and after finishing fifth on hurdling debut on seasonal return, the five-year-old grey ran away with a novice hurdle over Thursday’s course and distance by 13l on his very next start.
That dominant winning performance was certainly eye-catching and connections decided to pitch Gentleman At Arms into Graded company at Warwick on his most recent outing. Although he was no match for the smart Stag Horn on that occasion, Stuart Edmunds’ charge still ran respectably and was nicely clear of the third at the winning line over 2m5f.
The return to this course and distance should very much suit Gentleman At Arms and he shouldn’t be discounted despite facing some interesting rivals once again.
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HARBOUR LAKE 7/2
Shantou gelding HARBOUR LAKE has only appeared twice on a racecourse for trainer Alan King, but both starts have ended in comfortable victories in a pair of Wetherby novice events.
The six-year-old was set a tough task on debut and despite being sent off 9/1 in the market, Harbour Lake made significant headway from the rear of the pack to readily brush aside his rivals and score by 4.5l after jumping smartly throughout.
After that impressive first time out success, Harbour Lake reappeared in December and put up a similarly taking performance again at Wetherby, stretching clear of his four rivals to maintain his unbeaten start over hurdles.
Alan King’s charge should play a serious role in Thursday’s Listed contest and considering how impressive he has been in seeing out his races over 2miles, the step-up in trip could unlock further improvement and the six-year-old has sound claims in making it 3 from 3 over timber.
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JERRASH 11/2
JERRASH was seemingly unfancied in the market when lining up in an Ascot bumper last November but despite the lengthy odds, Gary Moore’s five-year-old made headway turning for home and kept on well in the closing stages to finish third.
After that opening bumper third, Jerrash made his hurdling debut in January over an extended 2m5f and was again sent off double figures, however, Gary Moore’s charge defied those odds in determined fashion to win by 2l under a strong drive from Jamie Moore.
The slight drop back in trip could cause issues for Jerrash on Thursday afternoon against some smart rivals and it may pay to look elsewhere.
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WONDERWALL 9/4
WONDERWALL was highly tried in bumpers last campaign and after winning on debut at Ascot, Richard Spencer’s charge ran a tremendous race in a Listed contest back at the Berkshire course to finish third on his second racecourse outing.
Connections then decided to aim for a tilt at the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at last season’s Festival and the six-year-old didn’t disgrace himself when finishing seventh at odds of 50/1.
Since returning this year, Wonderwall has put in two encouraging performances over hurdles and after finishing runner up at Newbury in December over an extended 2m4f, the six-year-old went one place better at Doncaster last month, scoring by 3l despite lacking fluency in the main over the smaller obstacles.
Wonderwall has the class edge to be seriously competitive in Listed company over hurdles and will have learnt plenty from that recent Doncaster success. However, he will need to brush up his jumping technique significantly if he is to play a leading role.
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ELLE EST BELLE 15/8
Dan Skelton’s ELLE EST BELLE was highly progressive in bumpers last season and after winning her first two starts at Aintree and a Listed contest at Cheltenham, Elle Est Belle faired best of the British challengers when finishing third in last year’s Champion Bumper behind Willie Mullins’ star duo Kilcruit and Sir Gerhard.
On seasonal return, Elle Est Belle was sent off odds-on favourite to make a successful transition to hurdles at Newbury but the six-year-old looked in need of the return to action and was ultimately disappointing, finishing third in the five runner affair.
However, Dan Skelton’s charge left that initial hurdle outing behind her when routing her rivals in a Listed Mares Hurdle back at Newbury, accounting for previous rivals Nina the Terrier and Ahorsewithnoname in the process.
Elle Est Belle was then set a tough task on her latest outing in December in Grade 2 company, finishing a well held fourth behind the talented and unbeaten novice Jonbon at Ascot.
The six-year-old mare should appreciate the return to Listed company on her fourth hurdle start and will likely line up as the market leader for Thursday’s contest. The only question mark regarding her chance will be the step up in trip, however, she is clearly very capable on her day and will be expected to return to winning ways.
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Race Verdict
Elle Est Belle will be tough to beat if appreciating the step up in trip and will find this company far less taxing than at Ascot on her latest assignment. However, the vote goes to HARBOUR LAKE who has shaped as though a step up in distance could unlock further potential. Alan King’s six-year-old can maintain his unbeaten start to life over hurdles and is one to keep on the right side as the season progresses.
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