Fitzdares Berkshire Winter Million Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 6m 8.39s

Settings

Selected odds by:

Clondaw General³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 125| D

7/2

£150,000 purchase on the back of Irish point success and followed up in 4-runner novice hurdle at Worcester (23f) on Rules debut in October, forging clear after the last. Showed similar form up in grade when fourth at Cheltenham last month and remains with potential.

Form: 1-14

Derryhassen Paddy^t⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| D

2/1

Won sole start in Irish points/bumpers and again looked a bright prospect when making a successful hurdling debut in 7-runner novice at Uttoxeter (19.9f, heavy) 54 days ago. Upped in trip and seems sure to do better.

Form: 11-1

Dameofthecotswolds⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 129

8/1

Bumper winner who has improved again over hurdles this term, making it 3 wins from her last 4 in a novice at Doncaster (19.4f) last time. Highly likely to give another good account on this first try at 3m.

Form: 421211

Honky Tonk Highway⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 119| D

5/1

Listed bumper winner. Made hurdles bow after wind op when chasing home a smart one on return (Warwick 19f) and didn't need to improve on that when making all in 2m listed event at Sandown since. Looks a stayer so there should be plenty more to come now upped appreciably in trip.

Form: 110-21

Excello³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 129| BF

11/4

Showed improved form on second outing for Nicky Henderson when winning a 21f course graduation chase last December. Came unstuck in very strong Cheltenham handicaps but has found only one too good on both starts back over hurdles this season, latterly at this course. Should go well again.

Form: 310P-22

Forecasts

Derryhassen Paddy (2/1), Excello (11/4), Clondaw General (7/2), Honky Tonk Highway (5/1), Dameofthecotswolds (8/1)

An interesting novice and cases can be made for all 5. HONKY TONK HIGHWAY has looked a stayer in the making so it's reasonable to assume she'll improve plenty for the marked step up in trip and can take her hurdles record to 2 wins from 3 starts. Dameofthecotswolds has developed into a most likeable sort this season and is very much respected on her first try at 3m, while Clondaw General remains with obvious potential.