Injured Jockeys Fund Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 6m 13.7s

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Selected odds by:

Melrose Boy³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 135| BF

1/10

Impressive winner of conditionals handicap at Cheltenham (2m5f, soft) on return in November to get off the mark over hurdles at fourth attempt. Not as good since at Newbury when beaten odds-on favourite but sets the standard here.

Form: 6/323-13

Now Listen Here²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

20/1

Moderate signs of promise in three runs, two of them at Fontwell, latest when beaten 43L in fourth of 13 in Novices' Hurdle over 2m1½f (soft) on Boxing Day. Must improve on previous efforts.

Form: 304

Ruggiero⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: Miss E C Lavelle

10/1

€100,000 purchase out of a dam who is closely related to Grade Two winner Mossley. Looked in need of experience on debut in bumper at Uttoxeter in November, may do better in this sphere with time.

Form: 7

Boola River²⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Kevin Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins

33/1

Just the one win to show from 11 outings in point-to-points in Ireland, coming this time last year. First start under rules / for new yard and the mare doesn't look an obvious contender.

Form: 5P/P143-

Forecasts

Melrose Boy (1/10), Ruggiero (10/1), Now Listen Here (20/1), Boola River (33/1)

Harry Fry has his team in fine order right now, emphasised with a double at Ascot yesterday, and this looks a good chance for MELROSE BOY to get back to winning ways. He looked to be on the up when scoring at Cheltenham on his return in November and though he was turned over at odds-on last month at Newbury, this looks a more straightforward mission and he likely won't need to improve to score. Ruggiero was an expensive purchase and should prove better for his opening bumper run at Uttoxeter, ensuring he's next best ahead of Now Listen Here and the returning mare Boola River.