toteplacepot Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 5m 15.60s

Indian Hercules²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Greatrex⁽⁷⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 122

10/1

Point-to-point winner, opened account over hurdles first time out at Uttoxeter in November but disappointing since, including when last of five at Fontwell (2m5½f, soft) early last month.

Form: 315-165

Mister Malarky⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 126

3/1

Winner over 2m at Kempton in November on third hurdles start, heavy defeat there in a handicap next time. Finished third (10½L) on heavy going at Sandown in February back in novice company, though worked very hard for it. Up in trip here.

Form: 0-35173

Don't Tell George⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon

50/1

Enrique gelding is a half-brother to three winners, two over jumps in France, but has not shown enough in bumper / novice hurdle runs here and at Fontwell to merit confidence for this. Back up in trip.

Form: 044

Hiland Oscar¹⁴⁰⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: M Goldstein| T: P Butler

150/1

First start for this yard, of little note in Irish point-to-points when last spotted all the way back in 2014. Can only be watched for now.

Form: P6S6/

Traffic Fluide¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| C

4/7

Smart novice chaser, winning here and at Sandown in 2015. Has been highly-tried at times since, including at Cheltenham last month. The class act of these, he tackles hurdles for the first time and is dropping in class significantly.

Form: 2-45750

Angel of Harlem⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: N de Boinville| T: M Bradstock| OR: 107

8/1

Solid effort in a Fontwell novice event in January (second) before well held in a handicap since at Uttoxeter (2m4f, heavy). Could play a role back in this company.

Form: 8-425

Forecasts

Traffic Fluide (4/7), Mister Malarky (3/1), Angel of Harlem (8/1), Indian Hercules (10/1), Don't Tell George (50/1), Hiland Oscar (150/1)

TRAFFIC FLUIDE has never jumped hurdles in public before but it is safe to assume that Gary Moore will have him prepared for this test. His chase form (peak rating 160) gives him a class advantage on these rivals and he should register a win. Angel of Harlem can't be ruled out back in this company, while Mister Malarky – a winner at Kempton earlier in the season – should benefit from this longer trip.