At The Races App Expert Tips Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 5m 23.98s

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Selected odds by:

Henry's Friend³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Luca Morgan⁽³⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 128| D

30/100

Made winnng start at Aintree in May and has improved in defeat on subsequent outings, giving a useful prospect a scare when 4¼ lengths second of 6 to Henri The Second in Winter Novices' Hurdle (17/2) at Sandown (19.8f, soft) 36 days ago. Will take the beating.

Form: 132

Serious Operator^t1⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: P W Wadge⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V RussellWS

10/1

Successful in 2 of his 3 starts in points and made a winning start over hurdles in likeable fashion at Kelso (20.9f) in October. Well held in tougher contest at Cheltenham last time but this represents an opportunity for him to get back on track.

Form: 1461-15

Army's Dream¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: G Boanas

250/1

Finished last in a bumper and was pulled up on hurdles debut last week. Can't be fancied.

Form: 7-P

Bleu D'enfer^t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: S R B Crawford

9/2

Chased home useful prospect Sandor Clegane in Punchestown maiden in November but checked out of things rather tamely when only fifth of 7 in novice hurdle at Down Royal (17f, soft, 7/1) 12 days ago. Still respected in this company.

Form: 0-P525

Had To Be Hugo³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies

12/1

Once-raced maiden. Runner-up only start in Irish points and shaped as if he'd appreciate this step up in trip when third of 10 in bumper at this course (16.2f, good to soft, 4/1) on NH debut 30 days ago. Makes hurdles bow.

Form: 2-3

Largy Train⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: H Hogarth

150/1

Made winning debut for Stuart Crawford in May 2021 but has seemingly had problems (already with third different trainer) and was pulled up on hurdles bow at Doncaster last week.

Form: 15-P

Star Flyer³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: W GreatrexWS

33/1

Fair form shown when twice in the frame in bumpers and showed aptitude when eighth of 10 in novice hurdle at Sandown (16f, soft, 33/1) on hurdles bow 35 days ago, making running until early in straight. May find a couple too good here again, though.

Form: 3-48

Forecasts

Henry's Friend (30/100), Bleu D'enfer (9/2), Serious Operator (10/1), Had To Be Hugo (12/1), Star Flyer (33/1), Largy Train (150/1), Army's Dream (250/1)

HENRY'S FRIEND ran well in Grade 2 company last time and he will surely have to underperform if he is to be beaten back in this grade. Bleu d'Enfer has to bounce back from a tame show last time but he'd rate as the biggest threat on the form of his Punchestown effort, with Kelso-winner Serious Operator best of the rest.