EBF Stallions 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 5m 6.40s

Mystical Clouds²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 128| BF

9/4

Started at prohibitive odds when falling two out (in full control) at Uttoxeter 24-days ago; fancied to make amends for that mishap here despite facing tougher opposition; well capable of recording a second hurdles success.

Form: 7433-1F

Dancing Doug³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁷⁾| T: S Thomas

16/1

In contention when falling late in the race in a Worcester maiden (2m4f, good) last month; should find a suitable winning opportunity sooner or later, but probably not today despite receiving 13lb from Mystical Clouds.

Form: 4F322-F

My Turgeon²⁶³

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

33/1

Cost €20,000 as a yearling out of a 2m1f-2m2f winning chaser (My Belle); finished last of four (beaten 22L) on debut in a heavy ground Carlisle bumper in March; encounters a much sounder surface on hurdles bow.

Form: 4-

Seven De Baune³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: Ian Williams

8/15

Cost £75,000 in December 2017 and posted an impressive rules/stable debut when a 6L winner of a Uttoxeter bumper in May; sent off just 7/2 for hurdles debut in a Cheltenham maiden in October (sixth of 13 to Thomas Darby); improvement possible.

Form: 2-16

Treasure Dillon¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

16/1

A 6L winner of a Durrow maiden (3m, soft), he was sold for £70,000 in March; tailed-off on rules debut at Ffos Las (2m4f, heavy) just over a fortnight ago; early days, but long-term future probably lies over fences.

Form: 1-8

Forecasts

Seven De Baune (8/15), Mystical Clouds (9/4), Dancing Doug (16/1), Treasure Dillon (16/1), My Turgeon (33/1)

It remains early days for the majority of these horses with both Seven De Baune and Treasure Dillon acquired by current connections out of the Irish point-to-point scene for not insignificant amounts of money. The former-named was pitched into a competitive race at Cheltenham on his hurdles bow and rates as the chief threat to the penalised MYSTICAL CLOUDS. The Alan King-trained runner would've justified his prohibitive odds but for a late fall at Uttoxeter 24-days ago. However, the saving grace in terms of his chance today is that he escapes a double penalty as a result, so is strongly fancied to make amends.