EBF British Stallion Studs 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:17 | Winning time: 5m 46.1s

Springtown Lake³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 139| D

1/12

Began season with Worcester win (2m4f, good) before taking a tumble when clear next time at Wincanton. Solid efforts in Graded/Listed novice contests at Sandown and Cheltenham since ensure this match looks his to lose.

Form: 02-1F23

I'm Always Trying⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe

8/1

A €22,000 foal who sold for €57,000 at three, related to multiple useful winners over jumps. Well held in 2m heavy-ground novice event at Ffos Las last month on hurdles bow. Up in trip but seemingly booked for support role.

Form: 53

Forecasts

Springtown Lake (1/12), I'm Always Trying (8/1)

A disappointing turnout and so this looks a strong chance for SPRINGTOWN LAKE to get back to winning ways under the champion jockey. He was a winner on seasonal reappearance in October and, following a mishap at Wincanton next time out, has performed admirably well in better races than this in two starts since. I'm Always Trying is likely to have a future over jumps and should improve from his Ffos Las run last month, but will need to do so significantly to make a race of this.