Balfours LLP And Lycetts Insurance Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 0.6s

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Selected odds by:

Court In The Act⁸⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 119| D

13/8

Bumper winner and translated that ability to hurdles, second at Hereford before going one better at Kempton (2m, good) on Boxing Day. Leading claims with further progress likely.

Form: 5-3121

Go To War^t1⁹²

4/7

Uttoxeter bumper winner last term and off the mark at the third time of asking over hurdles in C&D novice in December. Has had wind surgery in the 3 months since (also tongue tied first time). Should have more to offer.

Form: 18-U31

Express Surprise¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R Patrick| T: C Boultbee-Brooks

25/1

Runner-up sole outing in Irish point. Hinted at ability in a bumper and novice hurdle on first 2 starts under Rules. Unseated early latest. Probably more one for handicaps.

Form: 2-55U

Mambo Beat²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn

125/1

Fair on Flat (stays 1¼m) for Clive Cox but changed hands cheaply last autumn and has offered little in 2 hurdles for current yard.

Form: 94

No More Bolero¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater

50/1

Fairly useful Flat winner in Germany. Hinted at promise on his hurdle/yard debut at Sandown last month but disappointed with his finishing effort when only fifth at Huntingdon 4 weeks later.

Form: 55

Bettwyn⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: S-J Davies

250/1

Well held in a Bangor bumper last May and pulled up on 21f course hurdle debut 9 months later.

Form: 9P

Take A Hike⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys

80/1

Runner-up both completed starts in Irish points (latest Jan 21). Betting should guide on hurdle debut.

Form: 2U2

Non-Runners

Blueberry Wine¹¹²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 8

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Go To War (4/7), Court In The Act (13/8), Blueberry Wine (8/1), Express Surprise (25/1), No More Bolero (50/1), Take A Hike (80/1), Mambo Beat (125/1), Bettwyn (250/1)

It's likely this will develop into a straight fight between last-time-out hurdle winners COURT IN THE ACT and Go To War, with preference for the former.