Universal Banners Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 19:10 | Winning time: 5m 51.23s

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Selected odds by:

Ajp Kingdom²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 117

1/4

Bangor bumper winner who didn't need to improve much - if at all - to capitalise on a good opening in a thin maiden at Kempton (21f) 25 days ago. This is another race lacking depth though and his previous second to Twig in November reads well.

Form: 25/122-1

Barbarian^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: Claire Hitch| OR: 76

25/1

Poor hurdler who showed some ability remains in first-time cheekpieces on first run for new yard when second in 18-runner handicap at Exeter last month but is firmly up against it on these terms.

Form: 88PPP/2-

Court Master^p²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 120| D

10/3

Useful winning chaser who was pulled up both starts last season 10 months apart (had fifth breathing operation in between). Has left Michael Scudamore and has an obvious chance on these terms on his first hurdle start since early 2019.

Form: 3148/PP-

Nuova Vita⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Miss Chloe Emsley⁽⁷⁾| T: P Gundry

28/1

Alkaased gelding. Half-brother to fairly useful hurdler E Street Boy and bumper winner Sweetlittlemystery. Dual winning pointer, including last time (sole finisher, Apr 16).

Form: 32/5PU1-

Simple Words²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: David Noonan| T: J Tickle| OR: 69

125/1

No form in 3 starts over hurdles in 2020/21 for Jimmy Frost and just modest form at best on Flat, well held both starts in 2023. Easily passed over.

Form: P00/

Forecasts

Ajp Kingdom (1/4), Court Master (10/3), Barbarian (25/1), Nuova Vita (28/1), Simple Words (125/1)

AJP KINGDOM and Court Master stand out a mile in a thin contest. The former has a penalty to shoulder, but he has much less to prove and is preferred, especially with his previous second to Twig reading better now than it did at the time.