Follow Us On Twitter At 188Bet Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 3m 31.40s

Capitaine⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139

1/14

Winner of a Grade 2 novices hurdle at Ascot back in December, making all, and followed that up with an excellent second to the classy Finian's Oscar at Sandown in the Tolworth Hurdle. Not so good since then, but back in much calmer waters here, and will take plenty of beating.

Form: 2124P1-

Major Davis²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: W Greatrex

16/1

Hasn't pulled up any trees in four bumper starts to date, but does have some smart performers in his family, so may do better now seeing a hurdle. Still plenty on his plate if he's to beat the likely favourite at the first time of asking though.

Form: 7/3542-

Status Quo^h¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Kieron Edgar⁽³⁾| T: H Fry

8/1

In good hands but has looked very moderate to date, although did a little better for the application of a first-time hood at Kempton last time. Still requires a lot more to challenge Capitaine here, and place money more likely.

Form: P46

Brean Golf Birdie^h⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: M G Nolan| T: C J Gray

66/1

Looks poor on the evidence seen so far, finishing well beaten on most starts, and fourth looks the best he can hope for barring accidents to the others.

Form: /9904-

Forecasts

Capitaine (1/14), Status Quo (8/1), Major Davis (16/1), Brean Golf Birdie (66/1)

CAPITAINE hasn't really performed to the standard of his early season form on his last two starts, but they were both in Graded events and he'll find this company far less taxing. If showing his best form he should be winning this with something in hand. Major Davis can do better than he's shown so far and claim second, with the hard-pulling Status Quo needing to settle and jump better than he has so far.