Molton Brown Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 5m 12.55s

Doux Pretender²⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: N D Fehily| T: N J Henderson| OR: 129

9/2

Progressed across three novice hurdles last season culminating in him running out a ready winner of a 2m3f Towcester contest in May. More needed here but every chance he can progress now going forward and extra 2½f should suit well.

Form: 14/62-1

Hillary John¹⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex

14/1

3m point-to-point winner made a winning rules debut in June when he scored in a Downpatrick maiden hurdle. Form of that worked out really well with second, third and fourth all winning next time out. Starts out for new yard with leading claims.

Form: P4/11

Senior Citizen²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King

3/1

Built on two bumper thirds when making a winning hurdles debut at Chepstow last month although he was under pressure in second until the leader fell two out. Still has to be a positive that he could win first time and should now be more to come.

Form: 233-1

Stoney Mountain²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly

15/8

Dual bumper scorer turned over Aye Aye Charlie who was fourth in an Aintree Grade One last term on his hurdles/season debut at Aintree. Front two 13L clear of the rest and that form looks exceptionally strong here.

Form: 5101-1

Clondaw Ace²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

100/1

Heavy ground point-to-point winner made his hurdles debut at Chepstow in the race won by Senior Citizen where he faded badly to be beaten 53L into sixth. Reversal seems highly unlikely.

Form: 5/F19-6

The Raven's Return¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Daniel Sansom| T: J W Mullins

20/1

Off the mark at the third time of asking when landing a Sandown bumper on his first start this season, winning cosily by 5L despite running green. Tough spot to make hurdles bow and will have to jump well to be involved.

Form: 40-1

Trevelyn's Corn^t1³⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls

10/3

Impressive winner of lone point-to-point cost connections princely sum of £400,000 at the sales last December. Obviously considered of huge potential by top connections and could easily make his presence felt here.

Form: 1-

Forecasts

Stoney Mountain (15/8), Senior Citizen (3/1), Trevelyn's Corn (10/3), Doux Pretender (9/2), Hillary John (14/1), The Raven's Return (20/1), Clondaw Ace (100/1)

STONEY MOUNTAIN was a smart bumper performer and made a fine start to his hurdling career when turning over a horse with very useful form last season. He looked a really nice prospect there and can add this contest on his ascent up the novice ladder. There is no shortage of dangers however with Doux Pretender, an impressive winner of his last hurdles race chief among them for the champion trainer. Hillary John's Downpatrick win could hardly have worked out better so he too must be considered.