GL Events UK Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 3m 42.6s

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Selected odds by:

Fearsome¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: N P Littmoden| D

16/1

Big improvement on debut fifth over hurdles when he ran out a most comfortable winner of a Fakenham novice hurdle last month (2m, good) winning by 16L. 6lb penalty for that not certain to slow him even in this tougher race.

Form: 51

Pym²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| D

4/7

Ayr bumper winner made a winning start to his hurdling career at Chepstow last month when scoring by 2L (2m, good). 6lb penalty now but top trainer saw fit to try him in Grade Two bumper last season so could have the class to overcome it.

Form: 1/29-1

Anemoi¹⁹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington

11/2

Huntingdon bumper winner on debut over 1m5½f faded into fifth in his next start over 2m at Ayr. Should have strengthened up now but tough spot for seasonal return and hurdles bow here.

Form: 15-

Envole Toi¹⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 124

25/1

Three-time chase winner at up to 2m2f in France, all in typically deep ground. Made the frame three times without winning earlier over hurdles and should have the combination of experience and class to go close here.

Form: 1P146-1

Hats Off To Larry⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: M R Channon

16/1

Three-time flat scorer this summer at up to 1m2f including winning his last start to gain a peak rating of 76. Dual-purpose trainer won with just two of his last 76 hurdlers and this one has a tough ask also.

Form:

Nadaitak⁴⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling

16/1

1m3f maiden winner for Sir Michael Stoute was later effective at up to 2m, gaining a rating of 87. Joined a good yard who are already in the winners so no surprise if he gives a good account although likely to want further in time.

Form:

Rock Steady³⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

8/1

Three-time winner for Roger Charlton at up to 1m4f (stayed 1m6f) has a flat rating of 94 which is the highest of these. Joined a top trainer who always does well with novice hurdlers so may well prove best of the hurdles newcomers.

Form:

Forecasts

Pym (4/7), Anemoi (11/2), Rock Steady (8/1), Fearsome (16/1), Nadaitak (16/1), Hats Off To Larry (16/1), Envole Toi (25/1)

The top pair both carry penalties here but they have the benefit of a recent run and winning hurdling experience which none of their rivals do so they should be able to counter that and therefore look the two to concentrate on. PYM looked to win a stronger race than Fearsome so he gets the nod albeit the latter was the easier winner. Envole Toi was a smart chaser in France and based on that level of form he should be competitive here despite very different ground conditions.