Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 5.1s

Jarveys Plate²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 143| CD

5/2

Absolutely bolted up when winning in Listed company here on New Year's Day. That looked a smart field and he looks progressive so every chance he's up to conceding weight to these rivals.

Form: 231-321

Birchdale⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: B J Geraghty| T: N J Henderson

2/1

Point-to-point winner who justified favouritism at Warwick on Rules debut when a decisive winner. That form looks solid and there's every chance he will take a large step forward from the win. Fascinating contender.

Form: 1-1

Brewin'upastorm²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 140

6/4

Looked potentially very smart when bolting up at Huntingdon on hurdles debut at Huntingdon. Perhaps caught a bit flat footed at Newbury last time out when the pace quickened but remains with potential.

Form: 1/14-14

Buster Valentine³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: L P Aspell| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 125

16/1

Point-to-point winner who made it two from two over hurdles at Newcastle last time out. While he puts his unbeaten record on the line here, there's a huge step up needed from his Newcastle success to play a part here.

Form: 111

The Wolf²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: W Greatrex

40/1

Still a maiden after four starts. Ran okay at Newbury last time when third of 16 that form looks a level below what's needed to play a part at this level against rivals who have proven plenty more.

Form: 4373

Non-Runners

Not That Fuisse¹⁷

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Brewin'upastorm (6/4), Birchdale (2/1), Jarveys Plate (5/2), Buster Valentine (16/1), Not That Fuisse (20/1), The Wolf (40/1)

JARVEYS PLATE has been impressive enough on his last couple of course starts to side with again here and while he's conceding 5lb to this field, it was a taking effort last time and it's the strongest form available here. Birchdale comes under the "could be anything" bracket at this stage in his career and showed plenty on Rules debut at Warwick while Brewin'upastorm should prove best of the remainder.