Thames Materials Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:31 | Winning time: 4m 45.66s

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Selected odds by:

Dashel Drasher⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Kieron Edgar| T: J Scott| OR: 133| D

9/2

Gained deserved success latest after three good runs in defeat as he landed a Chepstow maiden in good style. Arguably less potential than a couple but form latest very close to the best on offer here so far from dismissed.

Form: 06-3341

Deise Aba^h⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| D

13/8

Bought for £66,000 after winning a point-to-point and began repaying that immediately when winning at Chepstow. Second since won at Listed level so little doubt that represents smart form and now in the 'could be anything' category.

Form: 11

I Can't Explain⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 143| BF

7/4

Former point-to-point winner was impressive at Sandown on Rules debut before finishing second at Cheltenham latest in a Listed contest. This a notch easier and remains a bright prospect so certainly a leading contender.

Form: 1-12

Russian Hawk²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 132

11/2

Exeter novice hurdle winner on first start over timber subsequently finished third here under a penalty. Steps back in trip here but probably needs to up his game against above three.

Form: 3-13

Du Chatelier³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Davies| T: D Flood

200/1

Only finished once on four point-to-points and started rules career in same vein with errors at the first two culminating in him unseating. Hard to have any optimism here.

Form: P5PPU

Imperial Knight⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling

25/1

Placed in three bumpers but recent hurdles debut didn't go to plan as he pulled up two out. In good hands so likely improve with time but this surely too tough at present.

Form: 332-P

Forecasts

Deise Aba (13/8), I Can't Explain (7/4), Dashel Drasher (9/2), Russian Hawk (11/2), Imperial Knight (25/1), Du Chatelier (200/1)

DEISE ABA looked a potentially smart recruit visually when winning at Chepstow and the fact that the runner-up has since won at Listed level only goes boosts confidence so he gets the vote here in an interesting little race. I Can't Explain is also a novice with considerable potential and he rates the danger ahead of Dashel Drasher who won well latest.