Smarkets Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 6m 10.71s

Captain Cattistock^t³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135| CD

15/8

Back-to-back victories, including one over C&D, before finding it too tough in a stronger contest at Ascot. This is easier and, although set to concede weight all round, his rider's allowance will help in that respect. Stable won this last year.

Form: 1-4114

Carole's Vigilante⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland

9/1

Good effort to finish third to a useful sort at Ffos Las and duly shed his maiden tag with victory at odds-on at Hereford. More required this time, but clearly progressive and has to be respected.

Form: 2/31

Darcy Ward⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Jack Barber

7/2

Point-to-point winner who made a successful hurdling debut at Taunton. Looks to have plenty of ability and it would be no surprise to see him progress further and produce a bold show.

Form: 2-11

Run To Milan¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: C Gethings| T: V R A Dartnall| OR: 132| C

6/4

Won an Exeter maiden hurdle in January and chased home a very useful sort at Kempton before pulling up in a hot novices' handicap at Sandown. In much calmer waters this time and looks firmly in the mix.

Form: 10-212P

Bellamy's Grey⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: M G Nolan| T: C J Gray

100/1

Promise in two bumpers since joining current trainer. Makes his hurdling debut against some talented performers, but is worth keeping an eye on with a view to the future.

Form: 764-34

Inspireus³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J McGrath| T: J W Mullins

66/1

Fourth, although beaten a long way, in both starts over hurdles. Looks the sort who may do better when he goes handicapping.

Form: 44

Non-Runners

Beyond Supremacy¹⁰¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: Jack Barber J: Sean Houlihan

Forecasts

Run To Milan (6/4), Captain Cattistock (15/8), Darcy Ward (7/2), Carole's Vigilante (9/1), Inspireus (66/1), Beyond Supremacy (66/1), Bellamy's Grey (100/1)

Quite a strong contest and one in which Captain Cattistock sets the standard. His rider's allowance should help and he is much respected, but there are a couple of improvers in opposition in the shape of Carole's Vigilante and Darcy Ward and both warrant maximum respect. Slight preference, though is for RUN TO MILAN, who was found wanting in a big novices' handicap at Sandown last time, but had previously looked a horse with a future with victory at Exeter and a second to a useful sort at Kempton.