sunbets.co.uk Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 5m 13.11s

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Selected odds by:

Ballycrystal²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Nathan Moscrop⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 130

11/4

Has a stiff task on BHA ratings as he meets Justforjames on significantly worse terms than he would in a handicap. Burst a blood vessel last time but appeared a decent prospect prior to that.

Form: 1319-12

Bollin Ace^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: T D Easterby| OR: 110

6/4

Opened his account over hurdles in a three-runner race where the short priced favourite ran as though something was amiss. He may have been fortunate that day and official ratings leave him a long way short. His two main rivals have doubts about their current wellbeing so he cannot be dismissed entirely.

Form: 6311F2

Justforjames³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: H Thompson Brown⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 128

7/4

Dual C&D winner whose disappointing effort last time may prove to be better than it first looked. Arrives as the clear pick on official ratings but with the stable struggling for form.

Form: 3333-41

Pinch Of Ginger⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr

20/1

Winner of an uncompetitive Irish point-to-point in a slow time. Has not found much when headed in two starts for new yard and this looks even tougher. Has room to improve so not entirely dismissed with trainer having taken two of the last five renewals.

Form: 21/4632-

Non-Runners

Bat Sheva³⁴

Weight: 10-9| Age: 5

T: Mrs Dianne Sayer J: Colm McCormack

Forecasts

Bollin Ace (6/4), Justforjames (7/4), Ballycrystal (11/4), Pinch Of Ginger (20/1), Bat Sheva (25/1)

The clues for this are shrouded in mystery given the most recent evidence available. Justforjames has shown a liking for the track and is the clear pick on official ratings. He did not run to that mark last time and with his stable finding winners hard to come by his case is less compelling. Bollin Ace took advantage of an inexplicable run from his only serious rival last time. He needs a similar fate to befall Justforjames and BALLYCRYSTAL in order to land this. Brian Ellison's charge strictly has something to find on official ratings. It is possible he may be better than he was assessed following a narrow defeat by The Unit given that horse won a handicap off a mark of 131 last week. A poor run last time raises suspicions but assuming those problems have been remedied he is a cautious pick.