Albert Bartlett River Don Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 6m 2.8s

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Selected odds by:

Bridge North¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: H D Daly| OR: 122

8/1

Showed improved form switched to a handicap when second at Ludlow in December and didn't need to improve to go one better back in a maiden there (21.2f) last time. Capable of better now upped in trip.

Form: 4-3321

Coolbane Boy²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 128| D

9/1

Much improved when winning 6-runner handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (23.8f) 28 days ago, leading before 3 out. Not long with this yard and seems sure to go well again.

Form: 4867-71

Mahler Mission^t1¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: J C McConnell

11/2

Strong in betting and showed improved form to open his account over hurdles at the third attempt in a 19.8f Sedgefield maiden 15 days ago, easily. Tongue tie on up in trip/grade and still unexposed.

Form: 2/321

My Bobby Dazzler²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Alex Edwards| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 130

2/1

Maiden/handicap winner at Aintree and maintained 100% record at that venue upped to 24.7f in December. Ran at least as well from 14 lb higher when fourth at Cheltenham since and firmly in the picture.

Form: 117414

Not At Present^b1³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Luca Morgan| T: B Pauling| OR: 123| D

12/1

Fairly useful hurdler who extended his excellent run this season when winning 7-runner handicap at Fontwell (25.8f) 34 days ago, staying on to lead dying strides. Blinkers on for 1st time up in class.

Form: 212111

The Real Whacker⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: Mrs A Duffield

9/1

Left hurdling debut form behind (for Patrick Neville) to run out a surprise winner of 5-runner maiden at Carlisle (25f) 48 days ago, keeping on well. Still unexposed but this is clearly tougher.

Form: 61

Unanswered Prayers²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 126

4/1

Uttoxeter maiden winner who has improved since, chasing home subsequent Challow winner Stage Star at Newbury prior to resuming winning ways at Wincanton (21.4f). Will probably stay 3m and in the mix.

Form: 25-1D21

Forecasts

My Bobby Dazzler (2/1), Unanswered Prayers (4/1), Mahler Mission (11/2), Bridge North (8/1), The Real Whacker (9/1), Coolbane Boy (9/1), Not At Present (12/1)

An open-looking renewal of this Grade 2 with COOLBANE BOY receiving the narrow vote. He put up a much-improved performance on just his second start for Sandy Thomson when landing a Musselburgh handicap in good style 4 weeks ago and seems sure to go well again. Bridge North remains capable of better now upped in trip, with My Bobby Dazzler also in the mix following a good effort at Cheltenham.