Smarkets Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 5m 55.67s

Big Time Frank¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cheesman⁽⁵⁾| T: P Gundry

100/1

Twice placed in point-to-points but has plenty to find with the rest of these based on both ratings and what they've shown in novice company.

Form: 23-3P06

Criq Rock²⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 125| BF

4/1

Second-season novice hurdler, but that doesn't tell the whole story as he has been second to some very useful types having won two bumpers. Should be able to put his experience to good use and has a great chance to get off the mark here.

Form: 0/3227-2

Dashing Perk⁷⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: Dr R D P Newland

6/4

Beaten when falling at Cheltenham last time having finished second on debut over obstacles. Clearly possesses ability bur may struggle to keep tabs on the other two with chances here.

Form: 1542-P

Rhaegar²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 126

1/1

Dead-heated in a novice hurdle at Chepstow last time out when sent off odds-on favourite. Improving with each run and goes on the ground, so holds claims here stepping back in trip.

Form: 121

Forecasts

Rhaegar (1/1), Dashing Perk (6/4), Criq Rock (4/1), Big Time Frank (100/1)

Though he hasn't been able to get his head in front over hurdles yet, this could be an excellent chance for CRIQ ROCK to get off the mark. Having finished second to promising horses such as Topofthegame and Thomas Campbell, he can overcome an absence here to score against some rivals who are yet to seriously convince. Rhaegar is easily the best of the rest and retains plenty of potential to improve after dead-heating in a novice event at Chepstow last time, and while it would be a big surprise if neither of these two won Dashing Perk is comfortably third best.