bet365 Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 3m 45.50s

Fair Mountain²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

30/100

Off the mark over hurdles at the second attempt at Bangor last time out. Carries a penalty as a result but did it very well there and the extra weight seems unlikely to be enough to stop him going very close again.

Form: 21

Ofcourseiwill⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 117

11/4

A winner at Bangor last time in a handicap and reverts to novice company here to avoid a 15lb hike up the weights, though he does still have to carry a 6lb penalty.

Form: 3P622-1

Norm The Storm²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

50/1

Showed little in bumpers and hasn't been able to improve for the switch to hurdles so far. Best watched having pulled up at Worcester when last seen.

Form: 65-6P

Texan Nomad²⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: R Harris

40/1

Ran out in his only point-to-point before running poorly in three bumpers. Others appeal much more as he makes his debut over hurdles.

Form: R/465-

Torrent Des Mottes⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: Alexandra Dunn

20/1

Has failed to build on early promise shown when pulling up the last twice (in a novice then selling hurdle), and needs a revival in order to have a say here.

Form: 2/2P-P

Non-Runners

Staged Engagement²⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: P E Collins J: J J Burke

Firmage Burg¹⁶

Weight: 10-3| Age: 4

T: H Fry J: N P Madden

Forecasts

Fair Mountain (30/100), Ofcourseiwill (11/4), Staged Engagement (9/2), Firmage Burg (12/1), Torrent Des Mottes (20/1), Texan Nomad (40/1), Norm The Storm (50/1)

This looks likely to be between the previous winners, and the obvious one is FAIR MOUNTAIN. Dan Skelton's charge took a big step forward on his second start over hurdles at Bangor last time to win with any amount in hand, and even under a penalty he should prove tough to beat if able to run to the same level. He can get the better of recent handicap scorer OfcourseIwill, followed by course bumper winner Staged Engagement.