Adam Kirby Exclusive Weekly Blog At starsports.co.uk Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 19:50 | Winning time: 4m 48.8s

The Bottom Bar²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 127| BF

5/4

Off the mark on his second start over hurdles at Market Rasen over this trip. Looked to struggle a little under his penalty despite finishing second last time and needs to bounce back here off a short break.

Form: 6/221-2

Dollnamix^t1⁴⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Miss E C Lavelle

25/1

Had two outings for Harry Fry in bumpers and showed very little in either of those. Now makes his hurdles/stable debut with a tongue-tie going on with others appealing more.

Form: 09/

Musketeer^h³²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: R Stephens

66/1

Well held in bumpers and over hurdles he was poor in the former discipline and has shown little more in the latter sphere; best watched.

Form: 56/05-

Super Scorpion^h²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 119| BF| C

6/4

Better known as a chaser (both wins over fences have come here) and looks of interest reverting to hurdles after running well here last time after an absence.

Form: 15435-3

Montanna⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen

7/2

Fairly useful on the Flat when with Jedd O'Keeffe he was sold out of that yard for £50,000 to current connections. Only won one race on the Flat but attained a rating in the mid-70's and starts his hurdling career at a realistic level.

Form:

Persistantprincess¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: James Bowen| T: D A Rees

25/1

Only one win in point-to-points of late but has been running well in that sphere in general. Well beaten when tried under Rules before over hurdles and would need to have improved to take a hand.

Form: 523-221

Nowheretoexit^h1¹⁸⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: D A Rees

50/1

Two bumper runs hinted at a modicum of ability but no more than that and he was never really involved when last seen. Stretching the imagination to see him involved in this contest.

Form: 77-

Forecasts

The Bottom Bar (5/4), Super Scorpion (6/4), Montanna (7/2), Persistantprincess (25/1), Dollnamix (25/1), Nowheretoexit (50/1), Musketeer (66/1)

This looks a weak heat and it may well allow Market Rasen winner The Bottom Bar to get back to winning ways although he might be the type to need more time between his races and for that reason a chance is taken that SUPER SCORPION (getting weight) can return to winning ways back over timber having twice won over fences here. Montanna is an interesting newcomer and if he takes to hurdles he’ll be a danger to all.