sunbets.co.uk Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 6m 39.06s

Back To The Thatch¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jake Greenall| T: H D Daly| OR: 128

2/1

Showed vast improvement to take a Bangor novice hurdle in December, showing a good attitude to beat Scotchtown in a driving finish and showed that to be no fluke when giving a penalty away next time, only being beaten three lengths by Grey Day (The Bay Oak, back in third, has run well since). Should handle the ground and stays well, so should be in the money at least.

Form: 325612

Lovenormoney³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: W Greatrex| OR: 123

6/5

Easy winner of a point to point last year and current connections went to 47,000 guineas to buy him not long after. Has shown plenty of ability on both starts to date, staying on well to take fourth behind Topofthegame (not disgraced in a Grade 2 next start) at Ascot and then finding the drop back in trip against him at Chepstow next time ; step up in trip here a big help and looks the main threat to Imperial Bay here.

Form: P1-

Mr Love²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: David Noonan⁽³⁾| T: L Wadham

3/1

Second in a point to point at Lismore last year (winner Monbeg Worldwide making up into a useful bumper horse for Gordon Elliott) and purchased for 72,000 guineas at the sales soon after. Showed some ability when fourth to Ballymalin at Kempton on only start, looking like a more thorough stamina test will suit. May well improve again today and clearly well thought of, but may be playing for places only.

Form: 2-4

Goodgirlteresa⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: B S Hughes| T: N B King

14/1

Won a point on heavy ground last March, although second Lady Robyn has looked modest for Peter Bowen so far. Signs of ability when fifth in a Listed bumper at Huntingdon on second start, despite taking a keen hold, but never really in it on only hurdles start at Exeter, finishing midfield. This step up in trip will help, and may do better again here, but needs a lot of improvement to trouble the principals today.

Form: 1/25937-

Non-Runners

Imperial Bay²²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: B Pauling J: Tom Cannon

King Killer⁴⁴⁰

Weight: 10-12| Age: 9

T: Nicky Martin J: James Best

Forecasts

Lovenormoney (6/5), Back To The Thatch (2/1), Imperial Bay (11/4), Mr Love (3/1), Goodgirlteresa (14/1), King Killer (50/1)

It would seem that IMPERIAL BAY has a bit of a task on giving Lovenormoney 6lb today, but there's been a lot to like about him on his two starts to date and he's likely to get left alone up front here. This improving horse may well prove hard to pass again if allowed to get in a rhythm, and as much as this step up in trip will suit Lovenormoney he may have to settle for second. Three of the other four have claims for third, but Mr Love should do better again today and can fill out the places. 1. Imperial Bay 2. Lovenormoney 3. Mr Love