Watch Racing UK On Sky 432 Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 6m 24.15s

Bob Mahler^p1⁵⁸

4/6

0-9 so far, but placed five times and has gone very close to winning the last twice on soft ground at Uttoxeter (2m4f) and Newcastle (2m6f). Since had a wind op and cheek pieces also fitted. Entitled to be on short lists.

Form: UF-5322

Brascoe⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill

20/1

Runner-up in a couple of Irish point-to-points and made a reasonable rules debut in a Towcester bumper last month. Should appreciate this return to 3m over obstacles and a market check looks prudent.

Form: 2P25

Rhaegar⁸²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 125| BF| D

2/1

Won a bumper (good to soft) and dead-heated for a win over hurdles on his second start at Chepstow (2m7½f, heavy) in December. Below that level last time, so a bit to prove now, but if back to his best he would be a contender.

Form: 1214

Rowdy Robin³⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson

20/1

Had jumping issues when failing to complete in three of his five point-to-points. Will need plenty of improvement on that now switching to rules, but in very good hands and market check prudent ahead of this postponed debut.

Form: U2/FF5-

Shanroe Tic Tec¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Mason

22/1

Was unable to win a point-to-point but outperformed his 100-1 SP when a 13L third of six on his rules debut at Huntingdon (3m1f, soft) earlier in the month. Will need significant improvement to trouble the principals but not ruled out of the frame.

Form: 2P-4UU3

Sting In His Tail³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby

50/1

Market expectations were not high ahead of his debut here (2m3½f, heavy) last month and he never got into it in being beaten 39L. Should be capable of better than that, but needs a lot of improvement to make an impact.

Form: 5

Hills Of Connemara^t1³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett| D

40/1

Irish point-to-point winner on soft ground and showed some promise in bumpers. Never involved on hurdles debut at Carlisle (2m3½f, heavy) last month. Tongue strap plus that experience may help her do better.

Form: 1356

Non-Runners

Sunny Destination⁸⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: G Bewley J: Jonathon Bewley

Forecasts

Bob Mahler (4/6), Rhaegar (2/1), Brascoe (20/1), Rowdy Robin (20/1), Sunny Destination (20/1), Shanroe Tic Tec (22/1), Hills Of Connemara (40/1), Sting In His Tail (50/1)

Not a lot of strength-in-depth to this and in the hope that wind surgery and the fitting of cheekpieces prove positives, BOB MAHLER is given the vote. Admittedly, he has had a few chances, but he also has the most solid CV in this line-up and he would not be winning out of turn. Rhaegar has to shrug off a below par effort last time, but if he can then he would be a danger. Brascoe is worth a market check along with Rowdy Robin, though the battle for the frame may lay between Sunny Destination and Shanroe Tic Tec.