Timeform Daily: Tuesday 27th January, Folkestone, 2.50

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 26 January 2009 / Leave a Comment

Timeform provide the low-down on the Ladbrokes Odds On Card- Join Today Novices' Hurdle (Class 4)

Eleven have been declared for this novices' hurdle over an extended two-and-three-quarter miles, though on the adjusted Timeform ratings it appears the majority will have to improve a good deal to match the form of Alderluck and The Old Pretender.

The former carries a 7-lb penalty having won on his sole start over hurdles to date at Plumpton when he pulled a distance clear with Finney. Despite not travelling quite so well as that rival, the test of stamina seemed to be more in Alderluck's favour and he was able to get on top again up the run-in to score by three quarters of a length. Despite shaping as though closer to three miles will suit him best, Alderluck possessed enough speed to win twice in bumpers, albeit at Plumpton and Fontwell where bumpers take place over two-and-a-quarter miles. Having won in heavy ground at Plumpton, the prospect of similar underfoot conditions here should pose no problem for Alderluck and he has a fine chance here to add a fourth consecutive victory despite his aforementioned penalty.

As mentioned above, The Old Pretender also has form far in advance of most of the field. He was a better bumper performer than Alderluck having won by eighteen lengths on his debut at Huntingdon on ground similar to what he will face here. Then sent off joint-favourite for a Grade 2 at Newbury on better ground, The Old Pretender could only manage fifth behind Mad Max after struggling for pace. Duly upped in trip for his hurdling debut last month at this course, Carl Llewellyn's gelding finished eight lengths behind Marty's Mission with the two well clear of the useful Awesome George. That run came at a time when runners from Llewellyn's yard were in poor form, especially those making their reappearance, and so it is fair to expect a significant amount of progress from The Old Pretender given the improved fortunes of his trainer's horses in recent weeks. Further to him shaping like a stayer, given the distaff side of his pedigree (his dam was a winning pointer and is half-sister to 1999 Irish Grand National runner-up Feathered Leader) The Old Pretender should have no problems with a further increase in distance.

Though only able to boast modest form to date, Rear Gunner will likely relish the step up in trip here. A winning pointer with a dam that stayed three-and-a-half miles, Rear Gunner was outpaced on his hurdling debut at Fontwell and it's likely that even this trip would be a minimum on ground less testing than this. One place behind Rear Gunner at Fontwell was Fruity O'Rooney, who probably would have reversed the placings but for a blunder at the final flight.

Few of those coming from bumpers have particularly strong form, though two come from that sphere with something to recommend them. Mirafa is stoutly-bred and found a soft-ground event at Towcester an inadequate test of his stamina on his sole start in bumpers. He will surely be better suited by this trip. Magic Moments may have shown nothing in a bumper at Chepstow, but the previous month he had finished runner-up in an Irish point so he clearly possesses some degree of ability given suitable conditions.