Sun Bets Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 5m 15.69s

Blunder Buss¹⁰⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: C Grant

14/1

Showed some promise on his final start in an Irish bumper when runner-up at Sligo (2m2f, good), although it was not a strong contest. Has a hurdles run under his belt and now resumes for new trainer and in need of some improvement. Trip should help.

Form: 062

Cloth Cap³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill

11/2

Showed steady improvement when moving from bumpers to hurdles at Worcester last month. Handles a sound surface and should be able to take another step forward today and probably won't need much of that if he is to finish in the money.

Form: 74-5

Court Liability²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: H Whittington

5/4

Runner-up in his only Irish point-to-point and made a nice debut under rules when winning a Fontwell bumper (2m1½f, good) last month. Both that and his pedigree suggest that he has a future over obstacles and he should go well here.

Form: 2-1

Jack Devine¹⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin

11/1

Took a while to get his nose in front in Irish point-to-points, but won three of his last four before being bought by connections in the spring for £50,000. Pedigree suggests he can win races under rules and this trip looks a good place to start.

Form: 23121-1

Judge Earle¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: R A Fahey| C

9/4

Won a bumper here (good) in May, though his best performance came last time when, on his reappearance/hurdles debut, he was a 1L runner-up at Wetherby (2m3½f, good) at 14-1. Step u in trip should suit him and he should take a bit of beating.

Form: 67-12

No Boundaries¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Amie Waugh⁽⁷⁾| T: S Waugh

200/1

Well beaten in both bumpers and a Hexham novices' hurdle (2m, heavy) so far. Should be better for this trip and that latest run, but has a lot to find to get involved on what we have seen from him so far.

Form: 6-06

Katy Royal³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Joe Colliver| T: C W Fairhurst

20/1

Steadily improving mare whose best run was here over 2m4f (good) last time out, when beaten 8½L into fourth at 200-1. Was doing her best work at the finish there, so this extra furlong looks a positive and she is not written off.

Form: 907P-34

Forecasts

Court Liability (5/4), Judge Earle (9/4), Cloth Cap (11/2), Jack Devine (11/1), Blunder Buss (14/1), Katy Royal (20/1), No Boundaries (200/1)

JUDGE EARLE perhaps exceeded expectations at Wetherby on his hurdling debut, but it was a good effort nonetheless and with winning form on the forecast ground at this venue, plus the potential for improvement, he looks a solid selection. Despite not having jumped a hurdle in public, Court Liability is feared, especially now stepped up to this trip after his bumper success. Cloth Cap, Jack Devine and Katy Royal are likely to be the ones battling for minor honours.