Download The App At 188Bet Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 28.10s

Seymour Star²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: A Ralph| OR: 130

5/2

Third season novice who finally got off the mark at Ludlow two starts ago before following up at the same course in handicap company last time. Everything went right for him that day and this is more challenging back in novice company (and having to concede weight all round), but he should still be improving.

Form: 853/3-65

Coole Cody^h¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Cobden| T: M Blake| OR: 123

5/2

Point to point winner who impressed with the style in which he won when getting off the mark at Wincanton last time (2m4f, heavy). His 3L second to Neptune Hurdle runner-up Neon Wolf at Exeter in January is the stand-out piece of form in the field, and he has a big chance here.

Form: 451-0

Ice Cool Champs⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White

13/8

Ran well enough when beaten favourite in a Warwick bumper in December, before getting off the mark on heavy ground here last month over slightly shorter. The longer trip will suit on that evidence, and he remains very unexposed with only two starts to his name so far.

Form:

Nobuttaboy^p1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 129

7/1

Novice hurdle winner at Southwell in December (3m, good to soft), who failed to make an impression on handicap debut at the same course last time. Has run some good races but the step down in trip is a concern, as he has looked more of a stayer so far in his career. Cheek pieces on.

Form: 124-

Blue Rhythm³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

50/1

Well beaten on both career starts so far, in a Wincanton bumper on debut and then a novice hurdle at Ffos Las last time. Steps up in trip today which should be of some help, but he seems to lack the class to be a serious competitor in this company.

Form: 0546-4

Non-Runners

Like The Sound¹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: C J Mann J: T Dowling

Running Squaw

Weight: 10-7| Age: 9

T: Mrs P Ford J: Benjamin Poste

Forecasts

Ice Cool Champs (13/8), Seymour Star (5/2), Coole Cody (5/2), Like The Sound (7/1), Nobuttaboy (7/1), Blue Rhythm (50/1), Running Squaw (66/1)

ICE COOL CHAMPS comes into this as the least exposed runner of those with racecourse experience and the slight step up in trip should be ideal for him today in conditions that are likely to suit him on the evidence of his win last time out. With further improvement likely, he has a great chance for a top trainer. The penny finally seems to be dropping, meanwhile, for third season novice Seymour Star, who could improve further making the switch back from handicap company, where he won last time, while the drop down in class for Like The Sound will suit, if he takes this route rather than a handicap option at Stratford yesterday.