Borders Carers Centre Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 5m 6.22s

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Selected odds by:

Go Go Chicago⁹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson

25/1

Justified good support when winning 9-runner novice hurdle at Stratford (18.7f, good to soft) on debut 92 days ago, edging ahead close home in a sprint finish. Has since left David Killahena & Graeme McPherson. Up in trip and open to improvement.

Form: 1

Intense Approach²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: A Harvey⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 127

1/3

Dual bumper winner who kept mistakes to a minimum when opening hurdles account in 7-runner maiden at Downpatrick (21.8f, good) 23 days ago. Very much the one to beat under a penalty.

Form: 1FP-F21

Kandor⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: P W Wadge⁽³⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 117

11/2

Successful Irish pointer who left his hurdling debut form well behind when winning 12-runner novice hurdle at Perth (20.2f, good, 9/1) 66 days ago, quickening to lead final 100 yds. Open to further progress.

Form: 24/273-1

Highlander Hill⁶¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Edward Austin⁽⁵⁾| T: Paul Robson

200/1

Down the field sole outing in bumpers and has fared no better both starts over hurdles.

Form: 508/

Major Champion^p1,t⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 97

80/1

No impact in Irish points but left opening hurdles run well behind when third of 9 at Hexham (20.1f) in May. Ran to a similar level when filling same spot there the following month but proved to be a disappointment at Perth last time. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 7330

Top Man Tom⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Danny McMenamin| T: A M Thomson

8/1

Winning pointer who shaped better than first time up over hurdles in first-time visor when second of 13 in a maiden at Uttoxeter (19.9f, good to firm) 52 days ago. First run for yard after leaving Ben Pauling for £13,500.

Form: PU1-352

Carved In Stone³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: H Palmer| BF

16/1

Mastercraftsman gelding who built on his Ludlow debut fifth when seeing off 10 rivals in a Doncaster bumper in December. Shaped well in a listed event at Cheltenham next time but failed to meet expectations sent hurdling at Market Rasen last month, shaping as if in need of the run.

Form: 515-7

Forecasts

Intense Approach (1/3), Kandor (11/2), Top Man Tom (8/1), Carved In Stone (16/1), Go Go Chicago (25/1), Major Champion (80/1), Highlander Hill (200/1)

INTENSE APPROACH easily landed the odds at Downpatrick last month and this looks a good opportunity for him to follow up under a penalty. Kandor scored quite decisively in the end at Perth in July and appeals as the type to improve further, while Go Go Chicago could leave the bare form of his Stratford hurdling debut win well behind now stepping up in trip.