Younevercall should be primed for hat-trick bid after lengthy absence

2.48 Kempton
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) | 4yo+ | 2m5f | RTV

Younevercall won this race in 2016 and 2018, so now we are back in an even year he must surely be capable of completing a hat-trick. If only racing were that simple.

The Kim Bailey-trained nine-year-old is 19lb higher than his first win and 10lb higher than when landing the race two years ago. He has also been off the track for 506 days and this will be his first run over hurdles since he won a Grade 2 at Sandown in April 2019.

However, it’s worth noting that he is at his best when fresh. Younevercall has form figures reading 16117210 when returning from breaks of at least 50 days and his victory in this race in 2016 was achieved after 203 days off the track. This might just be the time to catch him.

He has also been given wind surgery since his last run and that’s another reason to be positive. Bailey has a 27 per cent strike-rate with runners having their first run after an op.

The Cashel Man brings Grade 1 novice form into the race courtesy of his second behind Thyme Hill in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury last year, but he went on a regressive run of form afterwards and has been beaten 35 lengths and 37 lengths on his last two starts.

He is another who has a decent record when fresh, so it has to be a concern that he finished last of four on his seasonal reappearance at Chepstow last month, even if it was over fences.

He might still prove the biggest danger to Younevercall now he is returned to hurdling.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Emma Lavelle, trainer of Enniscoffey Oscar and Boreham Bill
Enniscoffey Oscar won after a lot of driving at Market Rasen and he's definitely better going right handed. The soft ground has kept him off the track since, so the good ground would be in his favour. Boreham Bill is another who wants good ground and should handle swapping back to hurdles. They both seem in great order and this is a nice prize to go for with both of them, so hopefully they run well.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Storm Goddess
She's been in good so far this season and ran a lovely race at Cheltenham behind Captain Tom Cat last time, but was maybe just a touch too far back on that occasion. She'll love the ground and she looks to hold a good if chance if we keep her up with the pace.

Harry Whittington, trainer of Neverbeen To Paris
He's in good form at home. He needs good ground and this is the first time we've found some since he last ran. He struggled up in class over fences in senior company, so we thought we'd bring him back over hurdles and get his confidence back. But he's going to have to put up a career best to win it."
Reporting by Tom Ward

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