SPG Fire & Security Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:18 | Winning time: 6m 26.64s

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Selected odds by:

Imperial Merlin²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Billy Garritty| T: J & S Quinn

2/5

Bumper winner in the spring and 2-2 over hurdles, again easing clear to land the odds in a novice at Newcastle 3 weeks ago. Big player despite the double penalty.

Form: 21-11

De Legislator⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

6/4

Shirocco gelding won his sole start in Irish points and landed the odds at the first attempt under Rules when scoring in 3-runner novice hurdle at Hexham (20.1f, soft) 55 days ago. Should progress.

Form: 1-1

Goodoldbill²⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ross Chapman| T: Mrs J Walton

40/1

Successful on fifth start in Irish points but didn't show much in a pair of outings over hurdles last spring.

Form: 365156-

Something Golden²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine

100/1

Big prices and well held on his completed starts in novice hurdles.

Form: 7U8

How Much³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr William Easterby⁽⁵⁾| T: T D Easterby

80/1

Twice-raced maiden. Pulled up in novice hurdle at Catterick (19.3f, good to soft, 50/1) 31 days ago, tailing off before straight. Can't be fancied on any evidence so far.

Form: 0P

Ellistrin Star²⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans

100/1

Behind in pair of bumpers last spring and needs a lot more to figure on hurdles debut.

Form: 09-

Gypsey's Secret⁵⁷⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss S E Forster

125/1

Barely any sign of ability across 4 starts in early-2021 and she can't be fancied after 19-months off.

Form: 45/P0-

Non-Runners

Hitching Jacking²³

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Imperial Merlin (2/5), Hitching Jacking (11/10), De Legislator (6/4), Goodoldbill (40/1), How Much (80/1), Something Golden (100/1), Ellistrin Star (100/1), Gypsey's Secret (125/1)

Effectively a three-horse race, with IMPERIAL MERLIN fancied to defy the double penalty and take his record to 3-3 over hurdles. The Skeltons' representative Hitching Jacking should go on improving after his victory at Uttoxeter, whilst De Legislator is also expected to progress from his successful Rules debut.