Lincs Loos 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:26 | Winning time: 4m 53.45s

Dandolo Du Gite^t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 118

7/4

Scored at the second attempt over hurdles in a Stratford maiden (2m6f, good) last month. Penalised for that comfortable success, and dropped in trip, but looks set to give a very good account.

Form: 2/31-21

Armattiekan²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

80/1

Cost £15,000 after being fourth in an Irish point-to-point in May. Well held in a Bangor bumper on his rules debut. Up slightly in trip for this hurdles debut. In good hands, but needs significant improvement to figure.

Form: 48

Buachaill Beag¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: J E Moore| T: M G Rimell| OR: 107

22/1

Showed promise in a Newton Abbot novices' hurdle two starts ago, but below that at Huntingdon last time. Would enter calculations if he can bounce back, but does have that to prove.

Form: 43R/27F

Earlofthecotswolds²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| C

11/8

Won a bumper here in September and matched that effort under a penalty in a better race at Cheltenham last time. In good hands and should be well prepared for his hurdles debut. Market check advised.

Form: 3-16

Imperial Elixir^t¹⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

28/1

Not without promise in three bumpers, but of greater interest now that he tackles obstacles on his second run after wind surgery. Stable in decent form. Market check.

Form: 65-5

Newlands Cross¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: C Poste| T: O Murphy

100/1

Irish point-to-point winner who was 40-1 and last of 16 on his rules debut at Newbury last time. Can only watch for better signs on that evidence.

Form: 2/3231-0

Seemingly So²⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy

4/1

Cost £100,000 after being a 6L second in an Irish point-to-point in February. Interesting to see what the market makes of him on this rules debut, but looks stable's main chance.

Form: 2-

Forecasts

Earlofthecotswolds (11/8), Dandolo Du Gite (7/4), Seemingly So (4/1), Buachaill Beag (22/1), Imperial Elixir (28/1), Armattiekan (80/1), Newlands Cross (100/1)

A very interesting opener where caution is advised. DANDOLO GU GITE has experience on his side and is the solid-looking choice under a penalty, but there are several unknown quantities. Buachaill Beag could go close if shrugging off his latest effort, while the market can guide us with regard to hurdles newcomers Earlofthecotswolds, Imperial Elixir and Seemingly So.