EBF British Stallion Studs 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Qualifier)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 5m 26.30s

Reigning Supreme³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D J Mullins| T: N J Henderson

1/1

Landed a similar event at Newbury on debut (soft) with oth the runner-up and well beaten third having come out and made the frame again since. Been given a bit of time before this next start, which may well prove beneficial and should go very well in attempting to defy a penalty.

Form: F2-1

Head To The Stars³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 127

12/1

C&D winner (good to soft) last time, his third start over hurdles and this looks a tough enough follow-up attempt given that he too has a penalty to carry.

Form: 60-7

Laser Light⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 136

2/1

The third of the penalised runners in the field, he has won both a bumper (soft) and a maiden hurdle (good to soft), running well to finish runner-up in both starts since. Officially rated 136 after his Southwell run in December (3m) and if this becomes a true test then he is likely to be doing his best work at the finish.

Form: P21-122

Full Irish³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120

9/2

Looks a typical Flemensfirth gelding, enjoying getting his toe in and a test of stamina. He will get both here and still has time on his side, so expect to see more from him.

Form: 136-4

The Poodle Faker²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Dave Crosse| T: H Morrison

100/1

His name brings a bigger smile to the face than some of his racecourse efforts to date, including when pulled up at Towcester last time. In good hands, though has plenty to prove at the moment.

Form: 6/P545-4

Non-Runners

Loch Garman Aris⁴³⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: G Hanmer J: Brendan Powell

Tommy Rapper⁶³

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Winningtry⁷³

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Forecasts

Reigning Supreme (1/1), Laser Light (2/1), Tommy Rapper (3/1), Full Irish (9/2), Winningtry (6/1), Head To The Stars (12/1), Loch Garman Aris (50/1), The Poodle Faker (100/1)

TOMMY RAPPER has not yet broken his duck, but he went close at Warwick last time in a race that has worked out very well in the context of this contest and we will side with him to ger off the mark in receipt of 10lb from the penalised, though clearly talented, Reigning Supreme. Laser Light and Winningtry are others who enter calculations. 1. Tommy Rapper 2. Reigning Supreme 3. Laser Light