Matchbook Betting Exchange Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 3m 44.30s

Choix Des Armes^h²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 107| BF

9/4

Off the mark in handicap company two starts back, and carries a penalty here as a result. Unraced on ground as quick as he's likely to encounter here but clearly has ability.

Form: 331133

Movie Set¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: R Spencer| D

5/2

Won on his first completed hurdles start last time at Huntingdon, and carries a penalty as a result here. Unexposed, and ridden by an excellent conditional here, so needs considering.

Form: F1-

Eskendash¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 124| BF

6/5

Somewhat unfortunate not to have gotten off the mark yet over hurdles, having gone close in recent efforts both in maidens and handicaps. Ground should suit and with a notable jockey booking another big run looks on the cards.

Form: 2/43323-

Gamekeeper Bill²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: A Bailey

80/1

Yet to show much in bumpers or maiden/novice hurdles so far. Has plenty on his plate here against some rivals who have demonstrated much more ability.

Form: 668888

Geordielad¹⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Thomas Garner⁽³⁾| T: O Sherwood

80/1

Pulled-up on only previous start over obstacles, at Wetherby in November. Off since and needs massive improvement on that form to get involved in this.

Form: P-

Atalanta's Gold²²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: T Scudamore| T: G & J Moore

50/1

Slight improvement on previous form when sixth at Plumpton last time out, but that's still a way off the level of form likely to be required here.

Form: 0-PP66

Golden Cannon¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-5| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West

100/1

Beaten 29L by Movie Set at Huntingdon last time when sent off 250/1. Tough to see her reversing that form, even with a pull at the weights.

Form: 877/77

Forecasts

Eskendash (6/5), Choix Des Armes (9/4), Movie Set (5/2), Atalanta's Gold (50/1), Geordielad (80/1), Gamekeeper Bill (80/1), Golden Cannon (100/1)

Several of these seem to have very little meaningful chance, but ESKENDASH stands out as a interesting contender. Yet to win over hurdles but potentially unlucky in that regard, he has gone close on each of his last three runs, all on a sound surface, and is now ridden by the Champion Jockey in what rates a major positive for his chances. He is taken to get off the mark here at the expense of Movie Set, who can go well having won at Huntingdon last time out, and the Nicholls horse Choix Des Armes.