Ballymore Leamington Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 4m 50.10s

Rockpoint²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 136

12/1

Progressive hurdler who landed a Grade 2 (3m, good to soft) at Cheltenham last month, for which he is penalised. Entitled to plenty of respect and should be very competitive.

Form: 27-2021

Beakstown^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 127| BF

6/1

Irish point winner who scored on his hurdles debut on first start after a wind op at Uttoxeter in November. Improved on that when runner-up at Newcastle (2m6f, soft) last time. Pitched into deeper waters here, but on an upward curve and interesting.

Form: 12-12

Champagne Court²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott

12/1

Won a Lingfield novice event (2m, good to soft) in November, but was put in his place at this level at Ascot last time. Much more needed.

Form: P22-415

Finawn Bawn⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 128

14/1

Won a good ground Ayr bumper on debut last May, and improved on his hurdles debut when scoring by 9L on being stepped up in trip at Bangor (2m3f, soft) last time. Going the right way, but this is tougher.

Form: 131

Stoney Mountain²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 134| C

3/1

Well placed to win two bumpers and also two of his three novice hurdles so far. Easy winner at Southwell last time (2m4f, soft). Has won on good, and has each-way claims at the very least here.

Form: 101-121

Tidal Flow²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 139| D

11/10

Bumper winner who is 2-2 over hurdles, both at around this trip at Kempton (good) and then Newbury (soft) last time. Potentially very useful and looks a contender.

Form: 14-11

Non-Runners

Birchdale³⁰

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Tidal Flow (11/10), Birchdale (7/4), Stoney Mountain (3/1), Beakstown (6/1), Rockpoint (12/1), Champagne Court (12/1), Finawn Bawn (14/1)

A super race in prospect, with plenty of potential on display and this should prove very informative. Rockpoint is respected after already scoring at this level, but he could find it very tough to successfully concede weight to Tidal Flow, Stoney Mountain and particularly BIRCHDALE, and the last-named gets the vote. Nicky Henderson's gelding looked very useful on debut and won a race that has worked out well. He can make the step up. Beakstown is another of interest.