Nightjar Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 3m 42.2s

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Selected odds by:

Bond Broker^h²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124| D

8/15

Point/bumper winner who made it 2-2 over hurdles with minimum fuss when making all in a 4-runner novice at Sedgefield (16.8f, good to soft). Further progress will be needed if he's to beat Mister Cessna on these terms but he couldn't be in better hands and is clearly talented.

Form: 1/371-11

An Buachaill Rua⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis

25/1

Failed to complete first 2 starts in maiden points before winning one by a wide margin back from a 3-month break in February. Yard's strike rate with hurdlers is modest (around 6% in recent seasons) but he's worth a second look in the betting all the same.

Form: UF1

New Man¹⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: T R Gretton

66/1

Beaten a long way starting out in a Hereford novice (16.2f, good) in November and he'll need to leave that form well behind in order to ruffle the feathers of Bond Broker and Mister Cessna.

Form: 4

Mister Cessna^t²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 120

13/8

Fairly useful juvenile hurdle winner in France and, having found Grade 2 company too hot on his British debut, he got back on track when a clear second to a promising odds-on winner over this C&D in February. Struggled in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival since but this is much easier.

Form: 3-33P20

Cherryhawk⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs N S Evans

100/1

Fair on the Flat but pulled up in novice hurdle at Chepstow (2m, heavy, 50/1) on debut in this sphere at the end of January. Readily passed over.

Form: P

Farhh Echo¹⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-6| J: Liam Harrison| T: D J Jeffreys

40/1

Showed ability in a couple of bumpers during the autumn, latterly beaten around 3 lengths when fourth of 7 here in November. Looks capable of winning races but a big step forward will be needed if he's to make a winning hurdles debut in this contest.

Form: 74

Forecasts

Bond Broker (8/15), Mister Cessna (13/8), An Buachaill Rua (25/1), Farhh Echo (40/1), New Man (66/1), Cherryhawk (100/1)

French import MISTER CESSNA has been highly tried either side of his good C&D second to the promising Viyanni and this represents a golden opportunity for the 4-y-o to open his account on these shores. Bond Broker is the obvious danger in his bid to maintain his 100% record over hurdles but conceding 13 lb to the selection will be no easy feat. Point winner An Buachaill Rua is marginally preferred to Farhh Echo in the race for minor honours.