Shakespeare Media Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:14 | Winning time: 3m 49.7s

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Selected odds by:

Leapaway²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 132| D

1/4

Improved no end on his last two starts to win handicaps with ease off marks of 112 and 119. Carries a double penalty for those two wins back in novice company but leading claims in here.

Form: 00-3311

Havisham^p,t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 104

14/1

Won nicely over this trip at Fakenham last month but then ran a shocker at Southwell last time, pulling up when well behind 2 out. Hard to enthuse over after that disappointment and drops in trip with cheekpieces added.

Form: 560P-1P

Romanor^h³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 113| CD

7/2

Not looked the most straightforward over hurdles so far but put it all together to win a handicap here over C&D off a mark of 110 last month. Bit to find with Leapaway on that form.

Form: F72-451

Another Drama²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: Noel Williams

33/1

Won a point-to-point back in may but hurdling debut at Worcester (2m, good) was not overly encouraging. Should do better in time but likely to need further than this.

Form: PF-16

Chef De Troupe¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland

20/1

Winner on the flat over in France but he has stopped pretty quickly on both hurdling efforts so far. Can only be watched for now until showing plenty more.

Form: P9

Snap Shots^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: W T Kennedy| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

80/1

Fairly useful flat performer on his day but went with hardly any fluency on hurdling debut and would need a major jump forward to be involved in the finish here.

Form: 6

Musical Stardust⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales

100/1

Didn't achieve a great deal in four bumpers and it was a similar story on hurdles debut at Southwell last week when tailed off. Same on the cards here.

Form: 67-846

Forecasts

Leapaway (1/4), Romanor (7/2), Havisham (14/1), Chef De Troupe (20/1), Another Drama (33/1), Snap Shots (80/1), Musical Stardust (100/1)

Romanor is slowly getting to grips with the hurdling game and having got his head in front over C&D last time, should be capable of better. This looks a cracking opportunity for LEAPAWAY to secure a hat-trick of wins and he should take some stopping.