Matchbook Betting Podcast Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:54 | Winning time: 5m 17.7s

Reserve Tank²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 139

11/4

Left previous hurdles efforts well behind when winning a soft ground 2m novice hurdle at Sandown by 2¼L just over a month ago. Penalised for that victory but strong claims of recording a second jumping success.

Form: 371

Darling Maltaix^h²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 131

13/8

Handicap hurdle winner off a mark of 122 over an extended 2m5f at Ascot (soft) in December. Shown decent form in handicap events since and is a leading contender on his return to novice company.

Form: 423155

The Cashel Man¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130| BF

6/4

Placed second on both starts over hurdles most recently when beaten 7L over an extended 2m7f at Uttoxeter (good) last month. Shaped as if a drop back in distance would suit.

Form: 22

Top Up The Fashion¹¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann

25/1

Promising 5L second in a maiden point-to-point over 3m at Lingstown (good) in November. Bought for £48,000 subsequently and interesting to see how he performs on Rules debut.

Form: 2

Forecasts

The Cashel Man (6/4), Darling Maltaix (13/8), Reserve Tank (11/4), Top Up The Fashion (25/1)

A repeat of his latest effort can see RESERVE TANK register a second hurdling victory in this small field novices contest. The selection faces strong opposition here but can get the better of his rivals with The Cashel Man, a beaten favourite last time out taken to chase him home ahead of Darling Maltaix.