Follow Racing TV On Twitter Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 4m 55.7s

Morraman⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115| BF| CWS

15/2

Ready 7L winner of a 3m maiden here (good) in December, but a beaten favourite on soft ground at Catterick (2m3½f) later that month; returns to action following wind surgery and a three-month absence on more suitable ground.

Form: P63313

Tight Call³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 120| D

2/5

Has progressed with experience over hurdles and was in the process of running a decent race in Class 2 company at Ascot (2m3½f) last month when falling at the final flight; should prove ultra-competitive under optimum conditions.

Form: 31122F

Dr Hooves^t³⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V RussellWS

20/1

Cost €130,000 as a 3yo; showed distinct promise in a couple of bumpers against fairly talented rivals (I'm To Blame and Dali Mail) in early 2018; makes his hurdles debut off the back of an 11-month absence; market a guide.

Form: 5/229-

Grey Mist^h⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: Karen McLintock

11/1

Has shown a determined attitude in being unbeaten in two starts on the AW at Newcastle (2m Class 6 handicaps); more than capable of winning races over hurdles, although that mightn't necessarily be today on jumps debut.

Form:

Sebastian's Wish¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| C

33/1

A four-time winner on the Flat over staying distances (three of those successes came at this track); hasn't at all convinced over hurdles thus far, and whilst this quicker ground will be more suitable, he shouldn't prove good enough.

Form: 5P

Animore^h²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Ross Chapman| T: I Jardine

9/1

Keen mare from a good family (sister to the bumper/2m4f hurdle winner Tokaramore); finished a remote second to a stablemate of Tight Call (Landsman) on hurdles debut over C&D 23-days ago.

Form: 4432

Forecasts

Tight Call (2/5), Morraman (15/2), Animore (9/1), Grey Mist (11/1), Dr Hooves (20/1), Sebastian's Wish (33/1)

An interesting opener featuring a number of horses who are capable of making their mark over hurdles, most notably the newcomers Dr Hooves and Grey Mist. However, the standout contender from a form perspective is the Tim Vaughan-trained TIGHT CALL who is strongly fancied to notch a second success over obstacles and enhance the already excellent current season strike-rate of the Vale Of Glamorgan-based trainer at this track (3-8; 38%).