Boden And Daughters Racing Welfare Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 57.4s

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Selected odds by:

Grosvenor Court¹⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

11/2

Posted fair efforts in a couple of bumpers earlier this year and similar form when third starting out over hurdles at Southwell in May. Slight step up in trip sure to suit.

Form: 6/24-3

Shearer²²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adrian Heskin| T: P F NichollsWS

4/11

Shaped really well on debut before going one better with easy success in the mud at Warwick on New Year's Eve. Found Grade 1 bumper too much at Cheltenham but a good hurdles prospect.

Form: 210-

Smoking Pigeon²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien

11/2

Winning pointer who offered something to work on when fifth on hurdles debut at Uttoxeter 3 weeks ago. In good hands and likely to build on that.

Form: U2U1/4-5

Maroochi¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽³⁾| T: Kieran Burke

22/1

Modest in bumpers and similar form when third in novice at Worcester (20f, good to soft, 22/1) on hurdles bow in May. Left Alan King after and still there pitching when unseating rider 17 days ago.

Form: 287-3U

Forecasts

Shearer (4/11), Grosvenor Court (11/2), Smoking Pigeon (11/2), Maroochi (22/1)

SHEARER found the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham too much on final start last season, but he's an exciting recruit to hurdling and this looks a very suitable opening. Grosvenor Court should have more to offer over obstacles and is second choice.