Flat Season Opener 19th May Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:54 | Winning time: 4m 48.78s

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Selected odds by:

Bel Amigo^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Dominic Hislop⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N W Alexander| OR: 115| C

8/11

Fairly useful chaser in France. Showed much more than previously for current yard (following a wind operation) when scoring here last month and followed up over C&D (good to soft) 27 days ago. The one to beat.

Form: F1-3P11

He's A Diamond²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond

17/2

Much improved when taking 5-runner novice hurdle at Market Rasen (20.6f, good to firm, 20/1) on hurdles bow 24 days ago, driven out. May be capable better yet.

Form: 42-8941

Berry Edge⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: D Thompson| C

33/1

Fair Flat winner who scored twice on level last year. Below par at Newcastle last time but is worth checking in market on jumps debut.

Form:

Cartonne^t⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107| D

5/1

Found improvement sent chasing, winning 4 times at up to 20.3f. Found to have bled latest but must enter calculations on return to hurdling.

Form: 24U2PP

Largy Spirit^t¹¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: S R B Crawford

11/2

Made little impact on NH debut in bumper at Down Royal (17.2f) in December. Step up in trip will suit on hurdles bow but needs to find improvement.

Form: 5-6

Getaway Frankie²¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards

12/1

Showed ability in last 2 bumper starts, including when fourth of 7 at Kelso (16.2f, good, 15/2) in September. In good hands and warrants respect on hurdles debut.

Form: 934

Moveonbuy¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Joe Williamson⁽³⁾| T: A Crook

150/1

Showed little in a trio of bumpers and was a similar story on switch to hurdles a fortnight ago.

Form: 89-66

Forecasts

Bel Amigo (8/11), Cartonne (5/1), Largy Spirit (11/2), He's A Diamond (17/2), Getaway Frankie (12/1), Berry Edge (33/1), Moveonbuy (150/1)

BEL AMIGO has proved a different proposition since his breathing operation and can complete a course hat-trick. Last month's Market Rasen winner He's A Diamond looks the likeliest danger, although market support for hurdling debutant Getaway Frankie could prove significant.