Paul Nicholls Supports Worcester Racecourse Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 5m 49.8s

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Selected odds by:

Ballymillsy⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 127| BF

13/8

Shaped well in a hot Kempton bumper last season and relished step up 26f when making successful handicap debut at Warwick. Didn't do a lot wrong when second back there latest and he's the one to beat.

Form: 4-36212

Byzantium Lad⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: K Brogan⁽⁵⁾| T: C E Longsdon

17/2

Closely related to fair chaser Stormy Milan and half-brother to fairly useful hurdler Lisdoonvarna Lad. Point winner who displayed willing attitude when successful on Rules debut at Ludlow.

Form: 6/641U-1

Dragon Bones⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams| BF| C

15/8

Bumper winner who sprung a surprise when winning 3m Doncaster listed event on hurdling debut in March. Temperamant in evidence when unseating rider next time but did land the odds at Hexham on Monday.

Form: 1-41U1

South Terrace¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120| BF

15/2

Much improved when landing gamble in 19.3f Catterick maiden hurdle in December, overcoming trouble and asserting well. Moved stables after and up in trip following just a fair handicap debut.

Form: 12-6413

Ballingers Corner⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 115

11/2

Picked up for £50,000 after winning sole start between the flags and made successful debut over hurdles under attacking ride at Market Rasen. Off 4 months and found it harder under a penalty latest.

Form: 1-13

Family Pot^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis

125/1

Runner-up in a point and showed something to work on when fourth in a bumper at Hereford. Well held next time, though and wasn't really in contention when falling on hurdles debut 3 weeks ago.

Form: 240F

Arctic Footprint³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: David Noonan| T: C J Down| OR: 95

50/1

Runner-up in 23f maiden at Exeter in January. Similar form when fourth in handicap company twice since but has it to do here, even in receipt of weight.

Form: 0-P7244

Non-Runners

Bobhopeornohope⁸³

Weight: 12-0| Age: 6

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: David Bass

Forecasts

Ballymillsy (13/8), Dragon Bones (15/8), Bobhopeornohope (9/2), Ballingers Corner (11/2), South Terrace (15/2), Byzantium Lad (17/2), Arctic Footprint (50/1), Family Pot (125/1)

BALLYMILLSY was unlucky to bump into a thriving rival when attempting to follow up at Warwick and he sets the clear standard on these terms back in a novice. Bobhopeornohope was beaten by more than a rise in class at Doncaster but has been given plenty of time to recover, with Ballingers Corner also of interest.