Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown

The Supreme Novices looks woeful so far and the fact only 5 can be bothered to enter the main UK trial says it all.

I'm assuming that Simonsig is an intended runner?

Racing Post> Nine entered for reopened 32red Novices' Hurdle (formerly the Tolworth Hurdle) at Sandown on Saturday.

« 2:35 » Sandown SAT 7 JAN 2012  32Red Hurdle Novices´ Hurdle (Registered As The Tolworth Hurdle Race) Grade 1 (CLASS 1) (4yo+) CH4
Soft 2m110y Number of runners: 9
£30,000 guaranteed For 4yo+ Weights 4yo.10st 9lb; 5yo+ 11st 7lb Allowances fillies and mares 7lb Entries 9 pay £ 150

   
1. 181341 ARAB LEAGUE 8  7 11-7 136 David Pipe 46 119 142   
bay gelding Dubai Destination (USA) — Johnny And Clyde (USA) (Sky Classic (CAN))

Stuart M Mercer

  DATE RACE CONDITIONS WGT RACE OUTCOME JOCKEY OR TS RPR
30Dec11    Tau 20GS C3HcH 6K  10-3 1/10 (18L Cantabilly 10-1) p 10/1  Francis Hayes  123 * *
01Dec11    Wcn 16GS C3HcH 5K  11-8 4/13 (7¼L Dineur 11-1) p 11/2  Tom Scudamore  121 * *
24Nov11    Tau 20Gd C3HcH 4K  11-5 3/7 (2½L Salontyre 11-5) p 2/1F  C O'Farrell  121 * *
10Nov11    Tau 17GF C3NvH 5K  11-4 1/12 (11L Daymar Bay 10-5) p 7/2  Tom Scudamore  116 * *
29Oct11    Asc 20Gd C4NvHcH 5K  11-5 8/13 (19½L Merehead 11-7) 8/1  C O'Farrell  116 * *
01Oct11    Fon 20Gd C4NvH 3K  10-12 1/6 (½L Grab The Glory 10-12) 6/4F  Tom Scudamore  — * *



2    AUSSIE BLUE (71F)  8 11-7
— Charles Pogson — —   
bay gelding Bahamian Bounty — Luanshya (First Trump)

C T Pogson

  DATE RACE CONDITIONS WGT RACE OUTCOME JOCKEY OR TS RPR
28Oct11    Wol 9St C5Hc 2K  9-2 12/12 (17½L Zafeen's Pearl 9-7) 20/1  Tony Culhane  64 * *
15Oct11    Wol 9St C6Hc 2K  9-6 9/10 (10L Shelovestobouggie 9-0) v 9/2  Amy Ryan  64 * *
01Oct11    Wol 9St C5Hc 2K  8-7 1/8 (½L Lockantanks 9-8) v 8/1  Amy Ryan  61 * *
15Sep11    Pon 8GF C5Hc 2K  9-0 8/16 (6L Adorable Choice 9-5) v 8/1  Michael Stainton  59 * *
03Sep11    Wol 9St C6Hc 1K  9-4 2/12 (½L So Wise 9-2) v 8/1  Tony Culhane  58 * *
19Aug11    Wol 9St C6Hc 1K  9-7 2/11 (1L Roman Ruler 8-6) v 9/1  Brian Toomey  58 * *



3
341
    CAPTAIN CONAN 198  5 11-7
— Nicky Henderson66 — —   
bay gelding Kingsalsa (USA) — Lavandou (Sadler´s Wells (USA))

Triermore Stud

  DATE RACE CONDITIONS WGT RACE OUTCOME JOCKEY OR TS RPR
23Jun11    Aut 18VSft 4yH 19K  10-6 1/16 (15L Rhonaldino 10-3) 15/2  Sylvain Dehez  — * *
10Jun11    Aut 18VSft 4yH 19K  10-6 4/13 (12½L Tiptop Ville 10-8) 10/1  Sylvain Dehez  — * *
03May11    Com 17VSft 4yH 8K  9-13 3/3 (11½L L'Ami Gaby 10-3) 12/1  Vincent Roisnard  — * *



4
121
    COLOUR SQUADRON 24  6 11-7
141 Philip Hobbs65 107 145   
bay gelding Old Vic — That´s The Goose (IRE) (Be My Native (USA))

Peter Bonner

  DATE RACE CONDITIONS WGT RACE OUTCOME JOCKEY OR TS RPR
14Dec11    Nby 17Sft C4MdH 2K  11-0 1/11 (1L Montbazon 11-0) 7/4  Richard Johnson  — * *
25Nov11    Nby 17GS C3MdH 4K  11-0 2/12 (½L It's A Gimme 11-0) 5/2  Richard Johnson  — * *
25Oct11    Chp 17Sft C5NHF 1K  11-0 1/13 (14L Eleven Fifty Nine 10-9) 11/4  Richard Johnson  — * *



5
564242
    HIGH STORM 29  5 11-7
130 Rebecca Curtis20 110 127   
bay gelding High Chaparral (IRE) — Lady Storm (IRE) (Mujadil (USA))

D R James

  DATE RACE CONDITIONS WGT RACE OUTCOME JOCKEY OR TS RPR
09Dec11    Chl 17Gd C3NvH 6K  10-12 2/9 (nse Darlan 11-4) p 25/1  Richard Johnson  121 * *
21Nov11    Ffo 20Sft C5MdH 2K  11-0 4/12 (44L Top Of The Range 10-11) 9/4  Tom Scudamore  — * *
09Nov11    Ban 17GS C4NvH 2K  10-7 2/18 (2¾L Distime 10-12) 11/1  Aodhagan Conlon  — * *
25Oct11    Chp 17GS C4NvH 2K  10-7 4/16 (7½L Prospect Wells 10-12) 66/1  Aodhagan Conlon  — * *
19Oct11    Wor 20Gd C5MdH 2K  10-9 6/13 (41L So Fine 11-0) 33/1  Aodhagan Conlon  — * *
31May11    Ffo 16Fm C6NHF 1K  10-12 5/11 (18½L Sir Johnson 11-2) 7/2  A P McCoy  — * *



6
21
    JUDICIARY 68  5 11-7
122 Tim Vaughan52 109 119   
bay gelding Invincible Spirit (IRE) — Theory Of Law (Generous (IRE))

Diamond Racing Ltd

  DATE RACE CONDITIONS WGT RACE OUTCOME JOCKEY OR TS RPR
31Oct11    Plu 16Gd C5MdH 2K  10-11 1/7 (2L Jodawes 10-9) 8/11F  Richard Killoran  — * *
14Oct11    Chl 17GF C3MdH 5K  11-0 2/9 (¾L Court In Session 11-0) 11/2  Aidan Coleman  — * *
11Sep10    Goo 12Sft C43yHc 3K  8-12 6/11 (3½L Kathleen Frances 8-9) 17/2  Antioco Murgia  78 * *
08Jul10    Don 12GF C4Hc 3K  9-5 3/5 (3¾L Patavium 9-6) 9/4F  Ahmed Ajtebi  79 * *
26Jun10    Ncs 10GF C4Hc 5K  8-13 4/8 (8¼L The Galloping Shoe 9-6) 7/2  Ahmed Ajtebi  80 * *
31May10    Red 10GF C43yHc 5K  9-4 5/6 (8¾L Gold Rules 9-7) 9/2  Ted Durcan  82 * *



7
42-111
    MAGNIFIQUE ETOILE 24  5 11-7
136 Charlie Longsdon55 113 133   
bay gelding Kayf Tara — Star Diva (IRE) (Toulon)

Magnifique Etoile Partnership

  DATE RACE CONDITIONS WGT RACE OUTCOME JOCKEY OR TS RPR
14Dec11    Ban 17GS C4NvH 2K  11-0 1/14 (12L Amron Lad 10-12) 5/4F  Kielan Woods  — * *
22Oct11    Str 17GF C4MdH 3K  11-0 1/8 (13L Dark Shadow 11-0) 4/9F  Felix De Giles  — * *
24Sep11    Mar 17Gd C6NHF 1K  10-4 1/10 (22L Woodacre 10-9) 4/5F  Gerald Quinn  — * *
02Apr11    Chp 17GS C6NHF 1K  10-2 2/12 (2L Theatre Guide 10-12) 22/1  Gerald Quinn  — * *
05Mar11    Don 17Gd C2NHF 34K  10-1 4/18 (16L Montbazon 10-8) 66/1  Kielan Woods  — * *
28Jan11    Fon 14GS C6NHF 1K  10-7 3/9 (23L Beattie Green 10-0) 15/2  Felix De Giles  — * *



8
1214
    PROSPECT WELLS 21  7 11-7
145 R Walsh
Paul Nicholls63 140 150   
bay gelding Sadler´s Wells (USA) — Brooklyn´s Dance (FR) (Shirley Heights)

Andrea & Graham Wylie

  DATE RACE CONDITIONS WGT RACE OUTCOME JOCKEY OR TS RPR
17Dec11    Asc 16Sft C1HcHL 84K  10-9 4/16 (1½L Raya Star 10-1) 11/4F  R Walsh  142 * *
26Nov11    Nby 17GS C3NvH 5K  11-5 1/9 (4L All The Aces 11-0) 1/2F  R Walsh  142 * *
11Nov11    Chl 17Gd C1NvHG2 12K  11-4 2/9 (¼L Steps To Freedom 11-7) 9/2  Daryl Jacob  — * *
25Oct11    Chp 17GS C4NvH 2K  10-12 1/16 (4½L Battlecat 10-12) 11/4  Daryl Jacob  — * *
25Jun11    Ncs 16GS C2Hc 92K  9-1 10/19 (16L Tominator 8-5) 25/1  Dale Swift  102 * *
21May11    Yor 14Gd C1L 19K  9-0 4/8 (8½L Times Up 9-0) 12/1  Paul Mulrennan  106 * *



9
241428
    SEEDLESS 11  7 11-0
115 Donald McCain58 82 126

i hope charlie longsdons horse wins

Looks a poor race and shows what a dearth of top 2m novices we have this year.

Amyone heard anything about Simonsig - thought he'd have run here if there was no problem with him?

Nicky quite bullish about his French import, Captain Conan

really like colour squadron here....relentless galloper....will win

A bot disappointing no1 has priced up as of yet!

Agree. Hobbsy's oss for me but prices depending.

I’m on a really nice horse in the Tolworth Hurdle, CAPTAIN CONAN (2.35), and it shows how well-regarded he is that he’s starting his British career in a grade one novice hurdle.

He won his last hurdle in France, a 16-runner race at Auteuil in June by 15 lengths and I’ve been impressed with him at home.

Although I haven’t ridden him I’ve worked with him and he looks a very good prospect indeed but will need to be as he’s up against 145-rated opposition in Prospect Wells.

But  I’m sure that you’ll be hearing a lot more about him after Saturday – and he shouldn’t have any problems with soft ground.

Henderson's horse obviously must be respected as they are pitching him high first time up, but i haven't a clue of his French form so can't back him. Never bet on reputation or a jockey's opinion
I like Hobbs' horse. Think his forms ties in very nicely and is a tough horse who will like sandown.

Thanks for taking the time to post on the forum Barry. ^^

Owner Graham Wylie has revealed the decision to let Prospect Wells take his chance in Saturday's 32Red Hurdle Novices' Hurdle at Sandown was an "afterthought".

The high-class Flat performer has made an excellent start to his career over timber for champion trainer Paul Nicholls.


After an impressive debut at Chepstow, the seven-year-old finished a narrow second to Steps To Freedom at Cheltenham before getting back on the winning trail at Newbury.


He was last seen finishing a highly-creditable fourth against more experienced rivals in The Ladbroke at Ascot and he is back in novice company this weekend, albeit at Grade One level.


Wylie admits the intention after the gelding's last run was to give him some time off, but connections have now decided to turn him out again for the race better known as the Tolworth Hurdle.


"We weren't entered in the race initially and to be honest, this is a bit of an afterthought," said Wylie.


"The original plan after he ran in The Ladbroke was to give him a bit of a break but when the race was reopened on Monday because there weren't many entries, Paul decided to put him in.


"He said the horse seemed in good form and he would decide whether or not he would run after he cantered on Thursday morning.


"Paul was really pleased and the horse is quite well in himself, so we'll let him take his chance and see how we get on.


"The other thing about him is he's a seven-year-old now and quite experienced.


"I was talking to Dan Skelton (assistant trainer) the other day and he was saying if he was only a five-year-old, like a lot of novices, he might not be running at Sandown.


"But he has had plenty of runs on the Flat and hopefully he'll run another good race tomorrow."


Prospect Wells' long-term objective is the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival, a race Wylie believes will suit his French import ideally.


"He's a two-mile hurdler and the Supreme would look the race for him," the owner added.


"Going fast round Cheltenham on better ground will help him, but being by Sadler's Wells, he handles soft ground as well.


"It looks a good race on Saturday, but if he's going to be a realistic contender for the Supreme, he's got to run well."

Captain Conan drifted to a proper price now - have thrown a few bob on for interest @ 12.5

I backed Colour Squardron with all the negatives on the others

Farce of a race - No pace, PW was terrible and CS threw it away but i aint complainin - OIOI Barry

wd bjg

wd BJG.

CS hung like a barndoor. Costly.

Captain Conan took advantage of a wayward Colour Squadron to win the 32Red Hurdle at Sandown on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson's French recruit (9-1) was a drifter on course but he was the only horse to chase Colour Squadron (11-8 jt fav) as the race developed before the second-last hurdle.

As Richard Johnson struggled to steer a hanging Colour Squadron, Captain Conan kept the straighter course under Barry Geraghty to win by a short head.

The other joint favourite Prospect Wells was niggled along before the home turn and was well-beaten in fourth under Ruby Walsh, one place behind the previously unbeaten Magnifique Etoile.

Geraghty said: "This is the first time I've sat on him, the boss was very keen and he wasn't wrong."

On Colour Squadron jinking, Geraghty said: "He did but maybe the company would have helped this fella too, he was very green and will improve a lot."

Henderson said: "It did seem a funny place to start him off but there was method in it as the owners were over for the weekend and he is a very, very talented horse.

"I imagine it will be hard to persuade them not to run him somewhere in March, but Barry and I think it could be a year too soon."He'll be in there but I'm not committing him to it (Cheltenham) as he's really just a chaser."

Sarah Hobbs, wife of trainer Philip, who handles Colour Squadron, said: "He was very green and hung badly. I suppose he has thrown it away because he's lost a lot of ground."

Sky Bet introduced the winner at 12-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, whilst the runner-up is a 14-1 shot for the same race.

Has this race ever produced a real decent horse? i expect it has somewhen,but i cannot think of one right now,anyone know??

Monsignor bt Best Mate in it....is that good enough :)

Noland and maybe Thisthatandtoher, depending how far you stretch 'real decent'. Going back further think Monsignor and French Holly won this race. Its usually run on bad ground these days so the best seem to dodge it, these days its more a race for the potential chasers imo.

Henderson says that CAPT may be rested as he is a future 'chaser, but
hurdles were used as training jumps for 'CHASERS, the CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP was a trial race for the GRAND NATIONAL, maybe he does not want the wider public to know their intentions, except for the DISTANT future.

So it has produced a couple of good ones going back,fair enough.Recent renewals have not i had noticed.
Grade 1 in name only really these days it seems.

It's a race that'#s really suffered. Abandoned in 2009 and 10. Run at Ascot in 01, Warwick 02 and Wincantion 03. Often run on horrible ground when it has happened.

Strange race. Prospect wells looked in significantly better condition pre-race than he did before he ran at Ascot yet ran significantly worse on similar ground. Colour Squadron looked a reluctant leader and swerved
possibly due to the bit slipping to oneside( john francome suggested this happened on C4, my eyesight wasn't good enough to see it properley on the head on). If the bit didn't slip then he could have a temperament problem.
  Captain Conan apparently pulled hard to post ,hence the dramatic late price drift. To drift that much the chances are he was viewed to have used up a lot of energy and as such may be a fair bit better than the bare
form suggests.
The form of the race may turn out to be poor but Captain Conan may have some potential.