Excel Signs Wrexham Novices' Hurdle

5YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 7f 7y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

Debut Irish point winner who would probably have been placed on his hurdles debut over C&D, but fell late on, before winning comfortably at Uttoxeter (soft) last time. Looks one of the leading lights again here.

Form: 1F1

Deise Aba^h⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

Debut Irish point winner who won comfortably on his rules debut in a Chepstow maiden hurdle (2m3½f, soft) in November. Has not been rushed back to the track and should benefit from that and this longer trip. Claims.

Form: 11

Lisnagar Oscar²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 133

Debut Irish point winner got achieved the win that he had been threatening to, in what looked an above average Chepstow novices' hurdle last time. Already placed in a Grade 2 over 3m, so stamina not an issue and he looks a strong contender.

Form: 1-3221

Captain Cj⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: D A McLoughlin

Triple Irish point winner who has been placed in two bumpers and was just collared on debut over hurdles at Navan in December. Handles soft ground and should be very competitive.

Form: 1/1F33-2

Halloween Harry³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White

Debut Irish point winner who showed promise on his first rules start at Haydock in December. Could not back that up at Uttoxeter last time, however, and will probably have to wait for other days.

Form: 136

Jammy George⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 125

Won a Limerick bumper on his second start for Thomas Cooper. Has been going back in the right direction since joining this trainer. Steps up again in trip here, which ought to suit. Wouldn't need huge improvement to figure.

Form: 194-244

Late Romantic^t⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 118

Improving over fences lately and now switches back to hurdles after being 16L third in the Lincolnshre National at Market Rasen last time. Not written off, but others have stronger claims.

Form: U11U-23

Mon Garcon Frankie³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Dave Crosse| T: S Flook

Has shown next to nothing in points or on last month's hurdles debut here. Can only watch.

Form: P/PP3-45

Shaman Du Berlais^h⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 120

Has looked potentially useful on his last two starts at Chepstow and Ffos Las, both at around 2m4f and on testing ground. Longer trip looks positive and he is another interesting runner in a competitive heat.

Form: 2U3-732

Forecasts

Lisnagar Oscar (5/2), Captain Cj (11/4), Ardlethen (9/2), Deise Aba (9/2), Shaman Du Berlais (12/1), Jammy George (14/1), Late Romantic (16/1), Halloween Harry (16/1), Mon Garcon Frankie (250/1)

This looks a decent contest that includes several winners and may well throw up a few more in the aftermath. Lisnagar Oscar probably has the yardstick piece of form with his win at Chepstow. A follow-up would not surprise, while Ardlethen has to be much respected, and the unpenalised Irish raider Captain Cj also looks capable of going close. However, DEISE ALBA is being brought along patiently by Philip Hobbs and now that he has some soft ground again, plus a longer trip, he could make it 2-2 over hurdles. Jammy George and Shaman Du Berlais also both look capable of being competitive in a fascinating race.