Dumenil Champagne 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 4m 8.9s

Ar Mest¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 121| D

3/1

Off the mark on bottomless ground at Lingfield last time out. Carries a penalty here and may not find things as easy but is progressive and should run well.

Form: 53531

Brianstorm^h⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 132| D

1/4

Impressive winner at Taunton last tie out when justifying odds-on favouritism by 31L. Carries a penalty but had shaped with promise on previous starts and every chance he can pick up a second win over hurdles here. Ground/trip fine.

Form: 1-53231

Black Buble¹²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: James Nixon⁽⁷⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 96

66/1

Failed to complete two starts so far this season having shown ability as a juvenile hurdler last term. Still 0-7 and has plenty to prove at this level.

Form: 7773-UP

Top Decision²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater

50/1

Down the field in two bumpers and a novice hurdle to date. Unlikely to seriously factor in a race in this sphere unless showing significant improvement.

Form: 3007

Forecasts

Brianstorm (1/4), Ar Mest (3/1), Top Decision (50/1), Black Buble (66/1)

This can to to BRIANSTORM. A wide-margin winner at Taunton last time he certainly wouldn't have been stopped by the penalty he carries here on that occasion and should appreciate both the ground and trip, with the booking of the Champion Jockey an obvious bonus. He should get the better of another recent winner in Ar Mest, and though these two are a long way clear on form of the other pair Black Buble may be a distant third.