PKF Francis Clark 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 4m 30.1s

Leapaway⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137| C

1/10

No trouble making it four wins on the bounce when returning from a short layoff here over 2m1f (good) on the first of this month. Longer trip, hard to topple.

Form: 331111

Burning Sands⁵⁴

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

28/1

Recorded his first point-to-point completion when beaten 15L into fourth on good ground in May, beaten a long way in a bumper at Uttoxeter in July and makes hurdles bow now.

Form: P-P44

James Boru^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: N C Kelly

14/1

Winner of his last two point-to-point starts in the spring but well held in a couple of bumpers and Down Royal maiden hurdle start since July. Plenty to prove at present.

Form: 2-11587

Pokari⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A E Jones| C

6/1

Some of his form has a very good look to it, such as a tenderly-handled second to the useful Bagad Bihoue in a bumper here in 2016, but big absences on his CV are a concern. Poor in Stratford novice hurdle in June.

Form: 021/6-6

Troy Dee Knee¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: M Goldstein| T: S Lycett

50/1

Unconvincing so far in bumpers and novice/maiden hurdles at Worcester. Hard to fancy on available evidence and he will need to jump a lot better.

Form: 0-6947

Pac It In³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: N de Boinville| T: D Weston

33/1

Showed gradual improvement in four bumpers, though tailed off on hurdles bow at Bangor back in the spring and work to be done on that evidence.

Form: 0-9335

Forecasts

Leapaway (1/10), Pokari (6/1), James Boru (14/1), Burning Sands (28/1), Pac It In (33/1), Troy Dee Knee (50/1)

LEAPAWAY has won four on end now and remains in fine form. Despite conceding weight all round, this looks another great chance to find the target. The others have it all to do. James Boru has won in the point-to-point fields and may do best while Pac It In has some bumper form to call on but needs to improve over hurdles.