Betfred 'Home Of Goals Galore' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 6m 45.60s

Cadeyrn²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore| OR: 130| BF

5/1

Held on grimly to score at Newcastle in January then narrowly outpointed on similar ground there last time out. Extra two furlongs may help but penalty may be hard to overcome.

Form: 15-7412

Piri Massini²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| D

10/3

Sprang a 20/1 surprise when scoring on hurdles bow at Fakenham in January and not disgraced stepped up steeply in class to Grade 2 when fifth at Haydock last month. This is more realistic and represents a yard having a great season.

Form: P1/15

Coningsby⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: T Lacey

9/4

Won point-to-point on debut then made a good start when close second over hurdles at Exeter on New Year's Day. Ran into a decent sort when beaten fair and square into second place at Wetherby but another good show expected stepping up in trip.

Form: 122

I Just Know⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 105

13/8

Fair staying handicap chaser won by wide margin in marathon handicap chase at Catterick last time. Was less effective in past over timber - still a maiden - but a good show not ruled out given current form.

Form: 1P3-341

Forecasts

I Just Know (13/8), Coningsby (9/4), Piri Massini (10/3), Cadeyrn (5/1)

CONINGSBY is the least exposed in a fascinating four-runner affair and gets the vote under his capable young amateur rider. Piri Massini may give him most to think about dropping back to a more realistic level and it wouldn't surprise to see market support for him. Both Cadeyrn and I Just Know are capable of scoring if things go their way so tactics will play a big part in this event.