BoscaSports The Retail Bookmakers Choice Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 10.1s

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Selected odds by:

Balleticon^t1³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 127| BF| D

5/4

Showed plenty of ability in bumpers in 2018/19 and overcame a 2-year layoff to make a winning hurdling debut at Southwell (15.8f) in December. However, found life tougher under a penalty at Ludlow.

Form: 225/14

Here Comes McCoy⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R T Dunne| T: O Murphy| OR: 123| D

11/4

Impressive winner in bumper on debut last January and made it second time lucky over hurdles at Uttoxeter in November. Failed to back that up at Wincanton since, but he's not one to write off.

Form: 1-417

Franigane⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington

9/4

Positive start over hurdles when chasing home the useful Nada To Prada (winner again since, in listed company) in 2m Ffos Las maiden (heavy) in November. Claims here with improvement anticipated.

Form: 6/724-2

Isle Of Aron¹⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

40/1

Showed some ability in a brace of bumpers 7 months apart but much more needed now switching to obstacles.

Form: 2-7

Johnny Mac⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: David Noonan| T: T R Gretton

300/1

Sent off at 125/1 and pulled up on debut in a Leicester novice last month.

Form: P

Sir Apollo⁶⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathan England| T: S England

100/1

€30,000 3-y-o. Fifth on sole start between the flags back in April 2019 and probably best watched on Rules debut.

Form: 5/

Slievegar^t1¹⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

18/1

€50,000 3-y-o. Brother to fairly useful hurdler/chaser Overland Flyer, and half-brother to fairly useful hurdler Roccowithlove. Worth a market check on Rules debut. Tongue strap enlisted.

Form: 3-P

Non-Runners

The Grey Falco³³

Weight: 11-8| Age: 6

T: A Ralph J: Lee Edwards

Forecasts

Balleticon (5/4), Franigane (9/4), The Grey Falco (9/4), Here Comes McCoy (11/4), Slievegar (18/1), Isle Of Aron (40/1), Sir Apollo (100/1), Johnny Mac (300/1)

THE GREY FALCO hasn't done much wrong since switched to hurdles and he bumped into an above-average recruit when second in a Ludlow novice last time. He holds Balleticon on that evidence and is taken to go one better here. Franigane made an encouraging start in this sphere at Ffos Las and is second choice ahead of Here Comes McCoy.