Star Sports Daily Specials Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 5m 43.2s

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Selected odds by:

Seaston Spirit³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁷⁾| T: O Sherwood

9/2

A fair sort in bumpers he showed slightly improved form to get off the mark on his first start over hurdles looking to enjoy the increased test of stamina at Fontwell. Did make a couple of minor errors but should be able to improve even with a penalty to carry here.

Form: 321

Tommy Rapper^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 130| D

5/6

Had looked unlucky not to score over hurdles before he finally did so when making the most of a relatively easy opportunity at Doncaster last time out. Has on occasion looked a little quirky (beaten over C&D at short odds) but has lots of ability and a mark of 130 may yet look lenient.

Form: 238-721

Coeur Pensif⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: B Pauling

13/2

Has run three fair races over hurdles the last two when the stable were going through a quiet spell. Managed to finish third over C&D here last time and now reappears with the stable in much better form and could well improve again.

Form: 2-4F3

Sergeant Brody⁴⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: S Drinkwater

6/1

Back from a long absence this lightly-raced winner in point-to-points is closely related to the useful hurdler/smart chaser The Package. He did offer something to work on when last seen although he's likely to need the run this time around.

Form: 231/4-

Transpennine Star¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill

8/1

Useful enough stayer when trained on the Flat by Michael Dods (won off a mark of 71) he showed some aptitude for hurdling first time up under a quiet ride. Should do better than that debut effort although he may just need to settle a little better this time around.

Form: 3

Lara Trot⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: C Poste| T: R Dickin

33/1

From a yard who have been having a good time of late this one is the only debutante in the field who has been placed in Irish point-to-points. She's a half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/chaser Ballyholland but may just find this company a little too warm on debut.

Form: 354

Forecasts

Tommy Rapper (5/6), Seaston Spirit (9/2), Sergeant Brody (6/1), Coeur Pensif (13/2), Transpennine Star (8/1), Lara Trot (33/1)

Only a small field go to post for this novices’ hurdle but it provides an interesting for all that. Tommy Rapper who has a rating of 130 undoubtedly sets the standard but he has been beaten here once before and a small field affair may not be ideal for this quirky sort. For that reason the other penalised runner SEASTON SPIRIT is given the narrow vote in a situation that may just suit him better. With the Ben Pauling yard in good form Coeur Pensif is expected to step forward and he could be battling out the third place spot with Transpennine Star who should come on for his hurdles debut.