First For Cheltenham starsports.bet Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:58 | Winning time: 6m 17.79s

Oscar Star⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: Jamie SnowdenWS

5/2

Mare going the right way in four starts over hurdles, scored over 3m at Southwell in December and not disgraced in follow-up attempt under penalty at Fakenham (heavy) in January. Comes back in trip here having undergone wind operation.

Form: 2-95213

Bee Crossing²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Kevin Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 114

4/1

Irish point-to-point winner who has gone well in three hurdles runs so far, including last month in handicap bow at Exeter when 11L third. Should be suited by the extra yardage now.

Form: 1U7-223

Belle En Noir²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: M D Grant| T: Steph Hollinshead

33/1

Well beaten on three previous starts and no improvement last time despite having undergone wind surgery, needs a sizeable chunk of improvement to figure.

Form: 6-57

City Star

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling

10/3

Black Sam Bellamy mare. Dam, point winner. From respected yard but things been quiet lately (0-14). Market check needed.

Form:

Longhousesignora²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams

10/1

Point-to-point winner, hasn't shown a lot in either start over timber, though did at least shape with more promise last month at Taunton (2m3f, soft) on return from a layoff. Perhaps more to come.

Form: 1-45

Megaboost²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: B I Case

16/1

Bought for £40,000 having been runner-up on her only point-to-point start. Related to a couple of winning stayers, she should find this more to her liking having finished midfield in a Warwick bumper on debut recently.

Form: 6

With Discretion¹⁰¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

3/1

Hasn't been sighted since point-to-point outings in 2015. Belated debut under rules but has joined champion trainer for it and yesterday's Champion Chase-winning rider is here for one ride

Form: 6U3/

Forecasts

Oscar Star (5/2), With Discretion (3/1), City Star (10/3), Bee Crossing (4/1), Longhousesignora (10/1), Megaboost (16/1), Belle En Noir (33/1)

WITH DISCRETION hasn't been sighted since placing in a trio of point-to-points in 2015, but it must be of some note that the champion trainer is sending him out now for this first outing under rules. He could be up to this, making a lightweight filling for his rider between Champion Chase glory yesterday and Gold Cup destiny tomorrow. Of those with form, Bee Crossing should be suited by the longer trip while Oscar Star has been consistent and might have more to say after a recent wind operation.