Junior Jumpers Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 6m 2.30s

Ballymountain Boy¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: M Keighley| OR: 129| D

10/1

Outclassed in the Persian War (Grade 2) at Chepstow recently, but had won twice prior to that effort at Kempton (2m5f good) and Uttoxeter (2m4f good to soft). Further improvement needed, but not necessarily anticipated.

Form: 343-116

Mon Palois¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| D

10/1

Has won three of his four starts since switched from point-to-points, but his maiden and novice hurdle successes have come in relatively weak events. Had an exercise gallop over this trip at Worcester latest (match), and has penalties to carry.

Form: 3114-11

Robbin'hannon⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 142| D

9/4

Workmanlike to say the least when justifying odds of 1/12 at Worcester latest (ground quick), but difficult to knock his earlier efforts, including when runner up to Gayebury in a Listed event at Perth in April.

Form: 112-1

Calett Mad^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 142| D

6/5

Talented all rounder, but proved himself as a force to be reckoned with over fences (with cut) last winter. Back in this domain at Perth last month with a 22L success, and no reason not to go to the well once more whilst still a novice.

Form: 12952-1

Dashing Perk²⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| D

11/2

Picked up for £50,000 after winning a Rockfield point-to-point on debut (November 2016), but steady away in bumpers and on hurdles debut when beaten 4L by Imperial Bay at Chepstow in January (3m soft).

Form: 1542-

Mister Mister^t⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams| OR: 115| D

50/1

Off the mark over hurdles at the fourth attempt when a narrow (head) winner at Worcester in September (2m7f good). Needs to take that maiden hurdle form to a whole new level in this much stronger contest.

Form: 4P-4931

Forecasts

Calett Mad (6/5), Robbin'hannon (9/4), Dashing Perk (11/2), Ballymountain Boy (10/1), Mon Palois (10/1), Mister Mister (50/1)

Not as strong as one might have expected for a 3m novices hurdle at Cheltenham, but it's still early season and the ground might be riding a shade too quickly for some, so we're left with just a compact field of six. Robbin'hannon has the strongest hurdles form on offer (his Perth second in April), but even allowing for quick ground, he made hard work of winning at Worcester last month, and doesn't appear a top class prospect. Therefore, with Ballymountain Boy and Mon Palois both requiring further improvement at this level, the classy chaser CALETT MAD is the most obvious alternative. Ideally, he'd appreciate softer ground, but he's stamina laden and should relish this galloping track.