Follow Us On Twitter Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 4m 23.1s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Delire D'Estruval⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 135| D

15/8

Beat a subsequent winner (rated 134) when landing a Listed event at Haydock on just his second start over hurdles. Failed to stay 2m4f next time and he should make a bold bid in this company.

Form: 232-413

Harefield³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 131| BF| D

6/4

Created a favourable impression when justifying support at Warwick. Hard to say he would have won last time had he jumped the last, however he would have gone close and the winner has scored again. Yard 7-21 in past week and took this in 2016.

Form: 24-41F

Babytaggle^h¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams

12/1

Point-to-point winner on heavy ground in February, but proved too keen on his first two starts over hurdles. Hood tried last time when soon in trouble and he looks out of his depth in this company.

Form: 313-UP5

Ballyhome²⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: B G Powell

16/1

Winner of a point-to-point at the third time of asking in October 2016. Well beaten in three Irish bumpers and, although he will improve for having obstacles to jump, this first run for 10 months may be needed.

Form: F31368-

Cloudy Glen^h1¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams

25/1

Beaten a long way in both starts and a hood is tried this time. Nevertheless he jumped the third last in front on his most recent start and is bred to be better than we have seen.

Form: 50

Macksville¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: J M P Eustace

25/1

Victorious over 1m6f on the AW in September and blinkers worn then are left off here. That was also the case when well beaten on his hurdling debut and he is still to prove he handles ground as soft as this.

Form: 9

North West Wind²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

8/1

Bred to want further but appeared not to stay last time and will find easier opportunities to fulfil debut promise.

Form: 43

Rebel Royal¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

10/1

Getaway gelding bought for €45,000 at the sales in June 2016. Half-brother to three time winner Monbeg Worldwide and bumper debut suggests he may need more time.

Form: 7

Forecasts

Harefield (6/4), Delire D'Estruval (15/8), North West Wind (8/1), Rebel Royal (10/1), Babytaggle (12/1), Ballyhome (16/1), Macksville (25/1), Cloudy Glen (25/1)

The two previous winners Delire D'estruval and HAREFIELD look the most likely pair to fight this out despite their penalties. The former caused an upset when landing a Listed event on his seasonal debut before finding his stamina tested last time. The selection beat a more modest bunch at Warwick, but was in the process of running a big race at Plumpton when falling at the last in a race taken by a subsequent winner. There is little between them on official ratings, but Harefield has the size and scope for further improvement and this stiff 2m is expected to suit.