Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:51 | Winning time: 4m 38.09s

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Selected odds by:

Diamonds For Luck⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: H Cobden| T: O Murphy| OR: 118| D

8/11

Six-figure buy out of the pointing field who is progressing nicely over hurdles, finishing runner-up twice before landing short odds at Wetherby (2m, heavy) in December. More to come.

Form: FF/7-221

Ballela Blaze³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: T Gallagher

66/1

Easy winner sole start in Irish points in March 2023 but comfortably held in a bumper and 2 hurdles under Rules since.

Form: 1/7-05

Noble Park⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

14/1

In top hands but well held in a bumper and both completed starts over hurdles. Still early days but will need to take a big step forward.

Form: 860U

Old Cowboy¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore

11/8

Purchased for £66,000 after finishing runner-up in a point last April and made an encouraging start to his Rules career when third of 13 in 2m Newbury novice hurdle 17 days ago. Can be expected to improve for a yard with a good recent record in this.

Form: 42-3

Forecasts

Diamonds For Luck (8/11), Old Cowboy (11/8), Noble Park (14/1), Ballela Blaze (66/1)

This will likely develop into a match between OLD COWBOY and Diamonds For Luck, with the former taken to make the most of the weight he receives from Olly Murphy's previous winner and add to his stable's good recent record in this race.