Virgin Bet Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:27 | Winning time: 5m 10.1s

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Selected odds by:

Barony Legends^t1⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| D

5/6

Shaped with promise in a bumper and, after 6 months off, made a winning start over hurdles at Lingfield. Well held in a better race at Cheltenham but this is much easier. Player now tongue tied.

Form: 2-316

Chris Cool⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

16/1

Best effort in bumpers at Ayr in November and made a successful debut over hurdles in a weak affair at Bangor (16.7f) the following month. More needed to defy a penalty.

Form: 536-51

Dreaming Blue^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| CD

5/2

Fairly useful on Flat (stays 1½m). Didn't offer much on Warwick hurdles debut last winter but left that form well behind to win 10-runner maiden over C&D 18 days ago. Respected under a penalty.

Form: 8-1

Art Decco⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: R Walford

50/1

Just poor form over hurdles to date so easily passed over.

Form: 49

Has Troke³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 111

4/1

Bumper winner in France who was in the process of showing improved form after 9 months off when falling last in a 20f maiden at Market Rasen in December. Respectable third at Ludlow since.

Form: 8144-F3

Labei Vitesse

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Christian Williams

50/1

Kayf Tara gelding. Brother to fair chaser Kayf Thou. Dam (c131/h142) 2¼m-3m hurdle/chase winner. Market perhaps best guide to expectations on debut.

Form:

Forecasts

Barony Legends (5/6), Dreaming Blue (5/2), Has Troke (4/1), Chris Cool (16/1), Art Decco (50/1), Labei Vitesse (50/1)

BARONY LEGENDS was well held upped in grade at Cheltenham last time, but he'd previously created a good impression at Lingfield and looks the one to beat now returned to calmer waters fitted with a first-time tongue strap. Has Troke and recent C&D winner Dreaming Blue are considered the main threats.