188Bet Daily Racing Specials Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 6m 22.40s

Pauls Hill⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

6/1

Steadily progressive although he may have been a little fortunate to pick up a win last time catching an idling favourite staying on well from an unpromising position. All of that indicates that he'll be suited by the increased trip here but does have to progress again.

Form: P2-061

Rock My Style^p1¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 132

11/10

Showed run-to-run progression in his first season over hurdles before running poorly on his last start in that period. Given a fair break after that poor run he justified his earlier solid form with a Hereford novice win staying on well under pressure; will appreciate this trip.

Form: 2/322P-1

This Is It⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Nick Mitchell| OR: 122

9/2

Progressed with all his starts over hurdles before he finally came good at Exeter in November in a handicap off a mark of 116 on his reappearance. Not as good in two subsequent handicap starts with the hard Exeter race looking to have left its mark; may do better after a break.

Form: 332-169

Bill And Barn²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126| CD

11/4

Scored on his third hurdles start (dead-heat) having got testing conditions for the first time under Rules (conditions that suit him) over C&D. Immediately switched to fences after that run and shaped well on his debut in that sphere; back over hurdles here and will appreciate this test.

Form: 6/4-6512

Hillary View^p1¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: P & M Bowen| D

66/1

Lightly-raced in point-to-points he's shown only limited promise so far in his two outings over hurdles and failed to improve for his debut last time out. Both starts have come here over shorter and this test will suit better but has work to do with the principals.

Form: 4P-104

One Leader²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

150/1

His first two runs particularly the bumper debut here over 2m hinted that there may be a little better to come although that will more than likely be in handicaps.

Form: 750

Day In Paradise⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: C Gethings| T: R Stephens

250/1

More letters than numbers so far in the form figures probably tells the story here although he did at least manage to complete last time behind Bill And Barn. Will do well to take a hand here and faces a stiff task.

Form: FP-5

Forecasts

Rock My Style (11/10), Bill And Barn (11/4), This Is It (9/2), Pauls Hill (6/1), Hillary View (66/1), One Leader (150/1), Day In Paradise (250/1)

This looks to concern three or possibly four of this field with BILL AND BARN given the vote as he has won here over C&D and goes unpenalised for that win. He looked to have taken another step forward last time when running well over fences and he should be able to hold off his main rival in Rock My Style who came back to form last time and will appreciate this trip. Pauls Hill may need another strongly run race to be seen at his best although this stamina sapping course and trip will suit him. This Is It needs to bounce back from two modest runs although the short break may have done he good and he’ll certainly handle conditions.