starspreads.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 4m 8.6s

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Selected odds by:

Otter Moon²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr N George⁽⁷⁾| T: T R George| OR: 124

2/1

Good ground winner over 2m4f at Perth last summer in a maiden contest. Has matched that effort in his last two handicaps since being dropped back to the minimum trip. Acts on good to soft ground and has each-way claims at the very least.

Form: 231533

Generous Day⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: James Davies| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 113| C

9/4

Won over the minimum trip at Southwell (good) earlier in the season and bettered that when adding further success here over further (soft) on Boxing Day. Not disgraced after 6lb rise and at around 2m4f last time and entitled to plenty of respect.

Form: 4-21314

Drums Of War^p⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: B S Hughes| T: C Grant| OR: 108| D

9/2

Showed some ability in novices' company and no surprise when he converted that into a win on his handicap debut at Sedgefield (2m1f, heavy, in first-time cheekpieces) last month. 5lb rise looks fair and better ground not a problem, so not ruled out.

Form: 376241

The Grinder⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: N Kent| OR: 104

5/2

Was not beaten far from 4lb higher at Huntingdon (2m4f, good) last spring but comfortably below that level of form in all three starts since and not sure he looks capable of breaking his maiden tag on that evidence.

Form: 363-986

Non-Runners

Du Soleil³⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: Miss V Williams J: D A Jacob

Toboggan's Fire⁵⁷

Weight: 10-9| Age: 5

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Otter Moon (2/1), Generous Day (9/4), The Grinder (5/2), Toboggan's Fire (3/1), Du Soleil (4/1), Drums Of War (9/2)

Although there is slight concern over the recent form of the stable GENEROUS DAY makes a fair bit of appeal given his form at the track with cut in the ground now that he reverts to this trip. Otter Moon is feared from the top of the list, while Drums Of War may continue to improve and Toboggan’s Fire is not ruled out.