Trumpers Tea Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 5m 27.10s

Ratfacemcdougall⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: B I Case| OR: 120

15/8

Turned over the short-priced Nadiatak at Doncaster two starts ago but well beaten latest, beating just one home. This is easier but there are question marks over his form and others are referred for win purposes.

Form: 21-0418

Imperial Elysian¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

4/1

Has run to a similar level in last three starts, a bumper and two hurdles, and gave the impression she's ready for a step up in trip after a one-paced fifth here last time. This is a weak race and a bit of improvement sees her in the frame.

Form: 5555

Plenty Of Butty^t1¹²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: T Scudamore| T: M Scudamore

66/1

Sent off huge prices on his four starts so far and has beaten only a handful of horses home. Hard to see where the necessary improvement to get involved is coming from.

Form: 988-9

Talktomenow^p1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 125

11/10

If you take his second to the classy Getaway Trump at Plumpton in November at face value then he's the one to beat here, but two poor efforts since then temper enthusiasm for him. Hard to know what to expect now.

Form: 1205

Tarrona⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-1| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: A Phillips| OR: 111

11/1

Exposed at a moderate handicapper but on the plus side, stays this trip and looks more sure to run his race than a couple here. Poor effort last time needs forgiving, though. May hit the places.

Form: 0-3P24P

Oyster Perch²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: M G Nolan| T: R H Buckler

50/1

Bred to want this good ground and a trip, so may do better, and although well beaten in two starts so far this is a lot easier. Bumper form says she's plenty to find but could outrun likely big odds on hurdles debut.

Form: 78

Non-Runners

New Quay³²

Weight: 11-7| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Bridget Andrews

Forecasts

Talktomenow (11/10), Ratfacemcdougall (15/8), New Quay (11/4), Imperial Elysian (4/1), Tarrona (11/1), Oyster Perch (50/1), Plenty Of Butty (66/1)

Question marks over all the main protagonists and guessing who is going to overcome them to score is not easy. Talktomenow has a really good effort against Getaway Trump to his name and a repeat of that is probably good enough to take this, but two lesser efforts since that run are worrying, and the addition of cheekpieces looks more in hope than anything. Ratfacemcdougall's Doncaster win looks a bit suspect, and New Quay has work to do under a penalty, so IMPERIAL ELYSIAN gets the vote. This longer trip should help and you an expect improvement for it. With so many question marks flying about, both Tarrona and Oyster Perch can be given place chances.