Bet At toals.com Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 6m 14.66s

Lively Article¹¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: Mrs F Kehoe

14/1

Returning from 14 months off the track when winning a novice hurdle over an extended 2m7f on Rules debut at Uttoxeter (good) in June. This looks a much tougher contest.

Form: 9F22/1

Dee Star²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer

100/1

Well beaten in a point-to-point in April and it's been a similar story in three starts under Rules. More needed following a 41L defeat on hurdling debut last month.

Form: 7-550

Settimo Milanese³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 125

8/13

Followed up a good second at Worcester (2m7f, good) in August with an impressive 29L victory in a maiden hurdle over the same C&D a month ago. Likely to prove hard to beat.

Form: 340-P21

Vinnie Lewis²²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 131| BF| D

7/4

Winner of a mark of 127 in a handicap chase over an extended 3m4f at Plumpton (heavy) in January. Pulled up in a valuable chase the following month and worth a check in the market on his returning to hurdling.

Form: 2/3411P-

Stormy September¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Jonathan England| T: S England

150/1

Well beaten on sole completed point-to-point run and finished 90L behind the winner in a maiden hurdle on Rules debut at Hexham (2m, good) last time out.

Form: U90

Forecasts

Settimo Milanese (8/13), Vinnie Lewis (7/4), Lively Article (14/1), Dee Star (100/1), Stormy September (150/1)

SETTIMO MILANESE was the facile winner of a hurdle contest at Worcester last time and he can register a second victory in this small field novice contest. Vinnie Lewis proved himself to be a useful horse over fences earlier this year and he can finish runner-up on his return to hurdling while Lively Article, a winner on Rules debut last time out can take third.