Follow myracingtips On Twitter Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 5m 38.9s

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Selected odds by:

Jurby¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood

3/1

Fought on to take second behind a hot favourite at Wincanton last time, looking like a step up in trip would do him good. Handles this ground and seems happy right-handed, so plenty to recommend with yard in good form too.

Form: 10/21P2

Westend Story¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134| BF

5/4

Made favourite last six times he's run, but only the one success to his name which rings a few alarm bells. One paced again at Sandown last time and although obvious chances on form, clearly not one for the mortgage.

Form: 32B-412

Berlief Aramis⁷⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: A Phillips

100/1

Little expected of him judging by his 66/1 price tag here on debut and he showed next to nothing. Can't realistically be expected to take a hand here.

Form: P

Lygon Rock³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 123

9/4

Has run okay at this sort of trip last three starts although improvement seems to have stalled somewhat, and needs to find a bit more now. Ground won't be an issue and may be allowed an easy lead, so not ruled out.

Form: 6-4223

Master Tradesman⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: M G Nolan| T: R Mitford-Slade

7/1

Has plenty of ground to make up with Lygon Rock on their Ludlow form in January but was a winner in point-to-points and should do better, especially as the ground starts to quicken up. One to keep a close eye on for the future here.

Form: 1142-P5

Prince Carn

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: James Davies| T: S Flook

100/1

Debut today for this son of Lucarno, yard not known for winners in this sphere though and is best watched.

Form:

Seniergues⁴⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: T J O'Brien| T: R Stephens

40/1

Plenty to take form his debut behind the useful Western Ryder back in 2016 but two subsequent efforts not to that level. Long absence to overcome and looks one for handicaps further down the line.

Form: 467-

Madame Fiona^e/s⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Stock⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley

50/1

Placed in a couple of minor bumpers and not disgraced in a novice hurdle at Lingfield in November, but even that form needs plenty of improvement and she's hard to fancy here.

Form: 2-2R58

Forecasts

Westend Story (5/4), Lygon Rock (9/4), Jurby (3/1), Master Tradesman (7/1), Seniergues (40/1), Madame Fiona (50/1), Berlief Aramis (100/1), Prince Carn (100/1)

Westend Story would look the one to beat on form but the excuses are wearing thin as the defeats keep stacking up, and he's clearly not one to be ploughing in on at likely short odds. JURBY gives punters a perfectly reasonable alternative to the likely favourite, as he's got form in the book, comes from a yard going well and could improve for the step up in trip. Lygon Rock is the other that holds a chance on form, with everything else needing to improve.