Weatherbys Bank Foreign Exchange Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 20.0s

Niceandeasy²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| CD

1/3

Has made a lovely start to his career, winning a Newcastle bumper (2m½f, heavy) in March and then striking first time over hurdles here over C&D (heavy) last month by 7L. Penalised now, but it will take a good performance to prevent the hat-trick.

Form: 1-1

Alphie¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

50/1

12-1 but green and never in it on debut at Carlisle (2m3½f, heavy) last month when a 75L last of nine. Should be able to improve for that but may be one to consider more seriously when handicapping.

Form: 9

Bafana Blue^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 103

12/1

Showed an immediate improvement when joining this yard, running well at both Sedgefield and Hexham, though not quite at that level the last twice. Should not be too far away if he can repeat or improve on his best efforts.

Form: 8P-3463

Baracalu²⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson⁽⁵⁾| T: P A Kirby| C

3/1

Returned for almost a year off to win a heavy ground bumper here in March by a distance for Sandy Thomson. Returns for new yard after another break and on hurdles debut. Trip should suit. Interesting contender and market check advised.

Form: F2P3/18-

Mah Mate Bob²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley

80/1

Tailed off from some way out on debut over C&D (heavy) last month, eventually being beaten 61L. Looking for some improvement on that today, though need to see much more before he can be recommended.

Form: 7

Storm Warning¹⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁷⁾| T: T Reed

80/1

Started well enough with Warren Greatrex, with a decent effort on debut in a Newbury bumper, but for tailed off after that. Little encouragement from his two hurdles runs, so looks best watched on first start for this yard.

Form: 2465-P

Millrose Bell²³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: Alex Chadwick⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson

150/1

Well held when beaten 27L in an Irish mares' maiden point-to-point in March. Dam was third in a bumper but showed little over hurdles, although a half-sister to Gold Cup winner See More Business. Looks best watched on rules debut.

Form: 3-

Forecasts

Niceandeasy (1/3), Baracalu (3/1), Bafana Blue (12/1), Alphie (50/1), Storm Warning (80/1), Mah Mate Bob (80/1), Millrose Bell (150/1)

Very moderate fayre here and NICEANDEASY is a confident choice to complete a hat-trick despite his penalty. Bafana Blue and Baraculu look likely to be the ones chasing him home, although we should see a fair bit more from Alphie this time and any money for Storm Warning might suggest that connections feel that he can build on some of his earlier promise.