Axio Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 5m 48.0s

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Selected odds by:

Boreham Bill³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 130

5/2

Off the mark at Southwell last time, although that was a moderate maiden contest and the favourite blew out. Penalty to carry in stiffer company makes life harder here, but is at least going back the right way again.

Form:

Golden Sunrise²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 127

3/1

Steady improvement throughout the season resulted in a deserved win at Exeter last time, getting on top late and showing a likeable attitude in the process. Step up in trip here can only help and has chances of defying the penalty.

Form:

Indian Hercules⁸⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex

5/1

Showed his bumper form to be all wrong when a winner first time up over hurdles at Uttoxeter in November and ran to a similar level when behind the useful Knight In Dubai last time out. Needs more here and others make more appeal.

Form:

Mighty Vic^t¹⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Jack Sherwood⁽³⁾| T: Miss S Smith

25/1

Built for fences and hasn't shown much in two starts back off a long absence. Clearly had issues, will do better but needs huge improvement if he's to get involved here.

Form:

Pandinus Imperator¹³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: Martin Smith

50/1

Shown little in a couple of bumper starts and tried on the Flat at Pontefract last year too, but was again well beaten. No realistic chance of success here.

Form:

Reikers Island¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

15/8

As his pedigree would suggest, getting better with experience and may well have gone close but for falling two out at Exeter last time. Needs to settle a bit better over this longer trip but open to plenty of improvement if doing so.

Form:

Stockburn²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

25/1

Definite signs of promise behind some good types on last two starts but looks one that's being prepared with spring handicaps in mind. Won't be disgraced here but needs to step up again if he's to take a medal home.

Form:

Forecasts

Reikers Island (15/8), Boreham Bill (5/2), Golden Sunrise (3/1), Indian Hercules (5/1), Stockburn (25/1), Mighty Vic (25/1), Pandinus Imperator (50/1)

The top two look the ones to concentrate on and GOLDEN SUNRISE, who has taken a small step forward with each start, can win again. We won't see the best of him until he tackles fences but for the time being, he can continue his progression with another victory here. Boreham Bill won at Southwell but that form isn't as strong as the selection and he needs a bit more here. Reikers Island may be best of the rest.