Arkle Finance EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 3m 47.6s

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Selected odds by:

Dartmoor Pirate²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: A J Honeyball

5/1

Offered something to work on when seventh in a valuable bumper at Newbury on his debut in March. Failed to progress at Chepstow on return but created a good impression when easily landing 18-runner Wincanton maiden (15.2f) on hurdling bow last month. Sure to progress.

Form: 7-71

Tellherthename¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 134| CD

1/4

£200,000 buy who confirmed his hurdling debut promise when he landed the odds with the minimum of fuss over C&D in November. Lost action when pulled up in Aintree Grade 1 last time. Sets a useful standard.

Form: 1-21P

Home Free³²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

6/1

Plenty of promise when placed in a couple of bumpers last season. Rates a nice hurdle prospect for his leading stable.

Form: 23-

Je Suis Sacre²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: R Walford

200/1

Has a good pedigree but looked one for later on when well held on last month's hurdling debut at Plumpton.

Form: 9

Protector Pete³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Luke Scott⁽⁵⁾| T: T R Gretton

250/1

Half-brother to useful hurdler/fair chaser Petrastar but has only hinted at ability on his completed start over hurdles.

Form: P5

Wise Guy⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| DWS

50/1

Point winner who shaped with some promise in a Bangor bumper/maiden hurdle 6 months apart. Still in touch when slipping up between 4 out and 3 out at Fakenham in November and has been given a breathing operation since.

Form: 15-3S

Forecasts

Tellherthename (1/4), Dartmoor Pirate (5/1), Home Free (6/1), Wise Guy (50/1), Je Suis Sacre (200/1), Protector Pete (250/1)

TELLHERTHENAME ran out a ready winner in a race that's worked out well over C&D in November and, with his latest effort easily excused (lost action), he's fancied to defy a penalty. Home Free rates a good hurdling prospect having shown plenty in a brace of bumpers last winter, while Dartmoor Pirate also looks promising judged on the manner of his Wincanton hurdling debut success.