SGC Security Services Cup Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:51 | Winning time: 4m 53.85s

General Custard^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁷⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 123

11/8

Came back from summer break to win a similar contest to this at Worcester, and ran at least as well at Fakenham next time. Below par effort at Southwell latest needs shaking off but conditions fine and even with the penalty, looks a player.

Form: 42P-123

Almontaser²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs N S Evans

100/1

Moderate on the Flat and tailed off on hurdles debut at Ffos Las, an early mistake not helping his cause. No realistic chance here.

Form: 0

Oscar Nomination¹⁸⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Alex Edwards⁽⁵⁾| T: G Hanmer

20/1

Moderate point-to-pointer, placed in four such events but yet to win one. Bred for the job though and has joined a shrewd yard, so may improve. Likely to find this too sharp a test all the same.

Form: 93P4-22

Soldier Of Love⁵⁶

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

3/1

Excellent second to the useful Jersey Bean in a bumper on debut at Ascot last November but two subsequent starts haven't been to the same standard. Looked hard work at Bangor latest, but may have needed the run so could do better here.

Form: 27-3

War Brigade³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams

7/4

Useful on the Flat and has already won one for this yard when coming good over 12f at Newbury in October (awarded race in stewards room). Has speed and if taking to hurdles then has chances for a yard that do well here.

Form:

Quizzacle Nomad¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁷⁾| T: Laura Morgan

200/1

Won a point-to-point at Garthorpe in the spring but two starts under Rules have revealed little so far, and she will be better off in handicaps after today.

Form: 4613/P7

Non-Runners

Three County's²⁷

Weight: 10-12| Age: 7

T: O Murphy J: Non Runner

Forecasts

General Custard (11/8), War Brigade (7/4), Soldier Of Love (3/1), Three County's (5/1), Oscar Nomination (20/1), Almontaser (100/1), Quizzacle Nomad (200/1)

Three County's might be one to watch once he goes back up in distance but this trip and tight track are likely to mean he's rather taken off his feet today. Soldier Of Love might fare better with a recent run under his belt but he does need to bounce back to his bumper form. General Custard is probably the one to beat but it might be worth chancing WAR BRIGADE, who might appreciate a speed test more than a few of these and if hurdling proficiently on debut, holds chances.