Muriel Bell Memorial Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 4m 49.0s

Birds Of Prey^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 124| CD

7/4

Been consistent since switching codes and actually won a shade cosily over C&D last month; handicapper has left him alone, so interesting he's kept to novice company for now. Has to merit consideration once again.

Form: 2221

On The Slopes²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 129

1/1

The form of his novice hurdle win at Fontwell on Boxing Day has received a couple of boosts since and the gelding himself improved to contest a Grade 3 last time out. He was well held on that occasion but will appreciate this ease in grade. Player.

Form: 321240

Dadsinluck^h,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

250/1

Not shown much promise so far and would be a surprise if he were to be good enough to hold a candle to some of the other more promising prospects on show.

Form: 78P00

Outlaw Jack¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: J Farrelly

250/1

Won his sole start in a point-to-point but hurdles form, albeit it punctuated with a year and a half on the sidelines, has been nothing short of dire so far; very hard to recommend the gelding on the evidence avilable.

Form: 1/5-P0

Sir Mix^h1⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Philip Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: K Bishop

125/1

Well beaten twice before he was brought down in his final start in a point-to-point, the gelding has a lot to prove on his debut run under rules. The fitting of a hood might help his concentration but he's still best just watched at present.

Form: 0-3B

Barbados Blue¹²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson

7/2

Won a bumper at Warwick last summer and then ran with lots of promise when second over hurdles at the same course in November. Been off since but sure to be primed by her top trainer to be ready for the day. Up in trip but well worth considering.

Form: 12

Gaelic Surprise⁵⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: James Davies| T: C J Down

100/1

Ran well to be third in a bumper for conditional riders at Newton Abbot last June but failed to complete in both previous starts over hurdles. Has a lot to prove on debut for a new yard after a lengthy absence.

Form: 57/3FP-

Forecasts

On The Slopes (1/1), Birds Of Prey (7/4), Barbados Blue (7/2), Gaelic Surprise (100/1), Sir Mix (125/1), Dadsinluck (250/1), Outlaw Jack (250/1)

The way Birds Of Prey forced his way through when he met trouble in running last time does suggest the gelding has learned plenty form his experiences so far. With his stamina proven over C&D, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding looks a fair prospect and has to be feared. However, ON THE SLOPES is also making progress and he'll appreciate this ease in grade; the trip and ground should also suit. Barbados Blue also has plenty of scope and must enter calculations given the amount of weight she receives from the boys.