MARKET RASEN (02 Oct 2005)

Good

4:25 BM&J "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle (Class E) (4yo+)

[off 4:29] £3,311.00, £946.00, £473.00 10 hdles (2m3f110y) 2m3½f

Comments In Running OR TS RPR

1 Square Mile (IRE) Jonjo O´Neill 5 11-0 J E Moore 3/1 47 112+

2 1½ Emmasflora C T Pogson 7 10-0 A Pogson(7) 40/1 85 39 103

3 10 Monsieur Delage S Gollings 5 11-0 R Thornton 7/1 35 101+

4 12 Thedublinpublican (IRE) C C Bealby 5 11-7 N Fehily 4/1 30 95

5 8 Ponchatrain (IRE) D J Wintle 5 11-0 W Marston 12/1 14 81+

6 2½ Sealed Orders Mrs S Lamyman 8 10-4 L Vickers(3) 100/1 5 71

7 3½ Over The Blues (IRE) Jonjo O´Neill 5 10-7 Mr A J Berry(7) 12/1 8 74

8 13 Hidden Storm (IRE) Mrs S J Humphrey 6 10-7 M Foley 80/1 — 54

9 ¾ Its Mick (IRE) Mrs S J Smith 8 11-0 D Elsworth 28/1 — 60

10 nk Hialeah M W Easterby 4 10-11 Mr T Greenall(3) 22/1 — 60

11 ¾ Casalani (IRE) C C Bealby 6 10-7 W Hutchinson 25/1 — 52

PU My Skipper (IRE) Miss H C Knight 4 11-0 S Thomas 9/4F — —

12 ran TIME 4m 57.90s (slow by 24.90s) TOTAL SP 119%

NON RUNNER: The Rainbow Man

1st OWNER: John P McManus BRED: Mrs K Purfield TRAINER: Jonjo O'Neill

2nd OWNER: C T Pogson

3rd OWNER: Rupert Webb

TOTE WIN £4.40 PL £2.10, £6.70, £2.20; Ex £140.60; CSF £124.20

ANALYSIS: Not many of these had decent hurdling form to offer but several had shown promise in winning National Hunt Flat races. They went a fair pace and it is probably worth taking a positive view of the form. Certainly dual bumper winner SQUARE MILE looked a decent prospect as he made a successful return from a long lay-off here, coming through to challenge 2 out and responding to pressure to lead on the run-in. He has the size to make a chaser but will reportedly stay over hurdles for the time being. He will stay 3m.

Emmasflora had shown only modest form last season but did much better for a new yard here, leading from the start and travelling well but just worn down by the winner. She came clear of the rest and looks to have every chance of winninga mares' race - at the least - on this evidence.

Monsieur Delage had progressed in bumpers and showed promise on this jumping debut, keeping on at one pace for a clear third place. He should improve. Thedublinpublican was facing much stiffer opposition than when winning on his hurdling debut at Uttoxeter a fortnight earlier and probably ran right up to that form under a penalty. Ponchatrain ran respectably in this company.