Follow At The Races On Twitter Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 55.0s

Lomachenko⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 128| D

9/2

Returned from wind surgery with a 6L victory in a maiden hurdle over an extended 2m4f at Leicester (good) in December. Well beaten upped to an extended 3m the following month and his trip more suitable on his return from a break.

Form: 8414

Copper Gone West²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 121| D

8/11

Maiden hurdle winner over 2m4f at Musselburgh (good) last month. Good effort when a close second over 3m on handicap debut at Newbury (good-to-soft) at the start of this month and is one to note dropping in distance.

Form: 1/2712

Bee Crossing^t1¹⁰⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: L Treadwell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 114

5/2

Point-to-point winner on good-to-soft ground in March 2017 and placed over hurdles since. Fair fifth in a 2m5f novice event at Kelso (good-to-soft) on stable debut in December and wears a tongue tie for the first time on her return from a break.

Form: 22327-5

Cape Fair²⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: G Hanmer

40/1

Still held chances when falling in a 3m point-to-point on good ground at Edgcote in June last year. Changed yards since and market support would be notable on Rules debut.

Form: 9-F

Non-Runners

Opera Rock⁸⁵⁰

Weight: 11-1| Age: 8

T: Miss V Williams J: James Nixon

Forecasts

Copper Gone West (8/11), Bee Crossing (5/2), Lomachenko (9/2), Opera Rock (10/1), Cape Fair (40/1)

LOMACHENKO represents a top yard and with the drop in trip in his favour he looks capable of defying a penalty to take this small field novice hurdle. Copper Gone West, the only previous Rules winner in the field can claim second having won at Musselburgh on her penultimate start while third place can go to Bee Crossing who is making her second start for her current stable.