Albert Bartlett Scottish Trial Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 6m 9.80s

Mr Whipped²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 146| D

4/5

A £160,000 purchase after winning an Irish point-to-point, he has made good strides in winning all three starts for new connections. Landed Warwick Grade 2 last time, up in trip and the one to beat despite a penalty.

Form: 1-111

Present Man^t⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 140| D

12/1

Smart chaser who won Wincanton's Badger Ales Trophy in November before being pulled up in the Ladbrokes at Newbury. Won a Kempton novice hurdle (2m5f, good) on seasonal bow and interesting to see him pointed at this by in-from Ditcheat team.

Form: 41P-110

Ravenhill Road²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: B Ellison| OR: 131| BF| D

6/1

Dual bumper winner in 2016 and maintained unbeaten record with easy maiden hurdle (2m1f, good to soft) at Sedgefield in October after a year off. Turned over next time at Doncaster in soft ground, up markedly in trip now and retains promise.

Form: 111-13

Red River^t⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 135WS

3/1

Impressive winner over 2m5½ f at Wincanton on good ground in October on stable/rules bow and ran well enough in Sandown Grade 2 next time. Undergone wind surgery since and may have more to offer. Yard in solid form lately (4-14).

Form: 2-13

Wonderoftheworld^t¹¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A Fleming

18/1

Impressed when landing 3m good-ground maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in August and was going well when falling late on at Killarney next time. Well held in Listed Limerick contest over 2m5f (soft) in October and has to step up on previous efforts.

Form: 2/1F6

Arizona Bound³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: J S Goldie

200/1

Wide margin bumper winner at Uttoxeter when trained by Gordon Elliott in the summer, but unable to make any mark in two hurdles starts for new trainer. Beaten a long way over shorter trip here last month and this looks a big ask.

Form: P-22189

Forecasts

Mr Whipped (4/5), Red River (3/1), Ravenhill Road (6/1), Present Man (12/1), Wonderoftheworld (18/1), Arizona Bound (200/1)

Connections paid a hefty sum for MR WHIPPED at the Cheltenham Festival sale last March, no doubt in the hopes he'd find his way back to the Cotswolds this spring. His latest Warwick Grade 2 made it three from three over timber and, despite a penalty, he is likely to take the beating now upped in trip and victory here would see him cement a return trip to Prestbury Park next month. Ravenhill Road was turned over at Doncaster last time but, previously unbeaten, he can put in a better effort upped in trip while Red River has the potential for better after a wind operation. Badger Ales Trophy winner Present Man is an intriguing runner for the Nicholls yard and commands respect switched back in this sphere.