Matchbook Betting Exchange Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 3m 53.7s

Romanor^h⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-4| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 121| D

50/1

Winner three times over hurdles this season but struggled in a handicap contest over this C&D when last in action in December. Probably best watched under a big weight on his return from a break.

Form: 110448

Ferrobin¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 137| D

13/8

Impressive 28L odds-on winner of a 2m novice hurdle at Huntingdon (2m, good) last time out. First start since wind surgery that day and holds strong claims of defying a penalty.

Form: 2-321

Heatstroke²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| D

10/3

Made a winning debut for this yard when taking a 2m maiden hurdle at Huntingdon (good-to-soft) a month ago. Hails from a top yard and tongue tie worn for the first time last time out is absent for this event.

Form: 1

Ashutor²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 119

5/2

Dual winner on the Flat in France and finished runner-up on both starts over hurdles since joining this stable. beaten 10L in a 2m3f novice hurdle at Fontwell (good-to-soft) last time out and drop in distance no issue.

Form: 22

Harambe⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 122| BF

9/2

Bumper winner on debut in December 2017 and placed in a Grade 2 bumper in April last year. Returns from a break having finished a well held fourth in a 16 runner novice hurdle event at Newbury (good) last time out.

Form: 23-B244

Witches Glen⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: P Phelan

150/1

Placed in three point-to-points in Ireland but finished well held on both hurdles starts so far and probably best watched at present.

Form: F-43264

Forecasts

Ferrobin (13/8), Ashutor (5/2), Heatstroke (10/3), Harambe (9/2), Romanor (50/1), Witches Glen (150/1)

Trainer Nicky Henderson has won this race three times in the past and his HEATSTROKE can provide the handler with a fourth victory in the race following a good winning debut at Huntingdon last time out. Ferrobin is another to have won last time out and he can take second ahead of Ashutor who can record his third placed effort over hurdles from as many starts.