Knighton Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 3m 53.7s

Ekayburg¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| BF

6/5

Dual bumper winner in France including in a Group 2 event at Maisons-Laffitte (1m4f, soft) in October last year. Disappointing 18L fourth at Chepstow (2m, soft) on stable and hurdling debut last time and likely capable of better.

Form: 7611-4

Eyreshill³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

6/1

Ran well to finish third in a four runner 2m6f maiden hurdle at Stratford (good) on Rules debut early last month. Likely more needed if he's to take this contest.

Form: 8-3

Laughing Luis¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Ned Curtis⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| D

7/4

Dual bumper winner on good ground including over an extended 2m at Stratford in August. Promising fourth on hurdling debut at Warwick (2m, good) in September but disappointed over the same C&D subsequently.

Form: 74-1147

Early Learner³²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: M Hamill⁽³⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

6/1

Point-to-point winner on yielding ground in Ireland in February last year. Well held in a Listed bumper at Market Rasen (heavy) on Rules debut in January and worth a check in the market switched to hurdles.

Form: 1/0-

Non-Runners

Burning Bright¹⁹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: B I Case J: C Gethings

Forecasts

Ekayburg (6/5), Laughing Luis (7/4), Early Learner (6/1), Eyreshill (6/1), Burning Bright (10/1)

EKAYBURG proved a disappointment on debut for this yard but he looks to have been found a nice race to open his hurdling account. The selection showed good form in bumpers in France and can get the better of Laughing Luis who can put a below par effort last time out behind him to claim second ahead of Eyreshill who can claim third.