Winter Million Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 11.35s

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Selected odds by:

Jazz King^p1²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: S Thomas| OR: 122| BF

20/1

Showed a fair level of ability in a brace of bumpers last term and found only one too good on first 2 starts over hurdles. Flopped at Uttoxeter 23 days ago and cheekpieces applied for handicap bow.

Form: 42-224

Nothin To Ask^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 120| D

10/3

Placed all 3 bumper starts last term and got off the mark with a bit up his sleeve on third outing over timber at Chepstow last month. More to come, so he warrants respect on handicap debut.

Form: 223-421

Shearer³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 118

3/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who wasted what appeared to be a good opportunity on Wincanton hurdles debut in October. Stepped up when third next time though and open to improvement in handicaps now.

Form: 210-23

Triple Trade⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Brendan Powell| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 118

7/2

Has shown promise on all his four runs, progressing when third on handicap debut at Sandown (16f, soft, 12/1) early last month. Step up in trip should suit so he's considered with better to come.

Form: 5-343

Ray's The One^p²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 114

14/1

Really motoring, following up first Flat success with victory in 17.7f Fontwell handicap hurdle in the mud. Similar form when third at Fakenham since but could be vulnerable to potential improvers.

Form: 4V4-613

Gerico Ville³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 113| BF

8/1

Related to plenty of winners. All 3 hurdle runs over C&D, shaping as though a greater test of stamina will suit when third just under 5 weeks ago. Market check advised for this handicap debut.

Form: 54-523

Global Agreement¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris| OR: 102| C

7/2

Returned at the top of his game to score at this track (16f) last month and needed every yard to get up late at Wetherby 16 days ago. Up 4 lb and this step back up in trip should be in his favour.

Form: 439121

Non-Runners

Mister Watson²⁴

Weight: 11-12| Age: 8

T: B Pauling J: Luca Morgan

Forecasts

Shearer (3/1), Nothin To Ask (10/3), Triple Trade (7/2), Global Agreement (7/2), Gerico Ville (8/1), Mister Watson (12/1), Ray's The One (14/1), Jazz King (20/1)

A competitive finale to the inaugural Winter Million Festival. SHEARER matched his fairly useful bumper form at the second attempt over hurdles and, with further improvement on the cards now moving into handicaps, he gets the verdict. Fellow handicap debutant Nothin To Ask heads the dangers, ahead of Triple Trade, who should be suited by this step back up in distance.