Matchbook Best Value Exchange Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 5m 8.0s

Admiral Barratry³²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 134

1/1

French recruit who has shown some useful form over hurdles in GB running his best race of all last time out (runner-up). Suited by the way he was ridden (kept out of the heat of the battle); hard to beat if reproducing that sort of form.

Form: 2U/52-

Hidden Glen¹⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling

5/1

Bumper winner on debut but failed to progress in that sphere although he was highly tried once in Ascot Listed company. Well held on his hurdles debut in May at Warwick and still has a fair bit to prove over hurdles.

Form: 197-7

Hugos Horse^t1¹⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

8/1

Comes from a top yard (who won this last year) and was a point-to-point winner at the 4th attempt after making his hurdles debut prior to those outings. Pulled-up on that hurdles debut but may have more to offer now second time around.

Form: 3P3F2-1

Wallace Spirit¹⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 119| BF

5/2

Fair form over hurdles despite remaining a maiden after four attempts having not looked the most straightforward on a couple of occasions. Proved a disappointment when last seen at Kempton in April; one of the stable lesser lights.

Form: 7P7F2-

Non-Runners

L'auberge Du Bois¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: J Scott J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Admiral Barratry (1/1), Wallace Spirit (5/2), Hidden Glen (5/1), Hugos Horse (8/1), L'auberge Du Bois (20/1)

This represents a good chance for ADMIRAL BARRATRY to open his account with his form looking to be much the best of these having nearly caused a surprise when last seen at Newbury. Hugos Horse is an interesting contender for last year’s winning trainer as he returns to the stable after winning a point-to-point having been pulled up in a novice hurdle when previously with the Nicholls yard and the tongue-tie now goes on. Wallace Spirit looks as though he has ability but also his share of temperament and that may hold him back again.