JUNKANOO 2.50 Plumpton at 8/15

Visit Irish Bloodstock Sales With ITM Novices' Hurdle (Class 4) 1m7f195y

Pedigree

30,000gns Y; third foal; dam 7f-1m2f (inc at 2/AW; RPR 86), half-sister to 1m-1m2f winner Qanan out of unraced half-sister to French 2,000 Guineas winner Victory Note

Trainer Form: 7-34 for 21%          (10)
National average: 16%               (10)
Course Strike Rate: 16%             (10)
OR & RPR: 123 & 127                 (10)
Optimum Ground: Good to soft        (10)      
Optimum Distance: 2m+               (10)
Jockey: Caiolin Quinn               (10)
National Average: 11%               (10)
Course Strike Rate: 11%             (10)
Trainer & Jockey Combo: 17%         (10)
Total:                             (100)

Stayer with a good attitude

Junkanoo was a fairly useful handicapper on the Flat and stayed 1m3½f so should stay much further than a sharp 1m7f195y at Plumpton. He has won on the mud on the Flat so the winter hurdling game and ground should not faze him. Coming to hurdling quite late he has taken well to this discipline finishing runner-up on all 3 starts. On his penultimate start he finished second when beaten in the last 100yds by a potentially useful sort.

Winner without a penalty?

On his third start he ran with plenty of credit when finishing a close-up second at Kempton when beaten a nose against a 5/6f Nicky Henderson hot-pot despite receiving a bump that could easily have resulted in the enquiry been overturned. He should make a bold bid to go one place better for a yard who tend to excel with ex-Flat horses. If there was a negative, he is being asked to run after a break of just 16 days, we would have given him another week or so, but this race is easier than his last two races.

An enquiry was held after the winner gave a slight bump to the second on the run-in but the interference wasn't deemed enough to alter the placings.

Contenders

Mako Of The Glade is of major interest on his first start for the Venetia Williams stable, particularly if the betting market speaks favourably about his chances. He showed fair form when reaching the frame in 2 juvenile hurdles in France in autumn 2021 but it has taken new connections over 2 years to get him to the track, he is entitled to need the run. Gearing's Point was last seen finishing a creditable 5th at Lingfield over 1m4f on the Flat, but he will need to improve on his Fontwell second in order to trouble the Pacafi. 

Timeform

This looks a good opportunity for JUNKANOO to get off the mark over hurdles. Lingfield-winner Colours On Canvas could be the one to follow Gary Moore's charge home unless the market vibes are positive surrounding the returning Mako of The Glade.

Perceived Value

The 8/15 must surely contain perceived value and is almost a winner without a penalty.

PACAFI RESULTS