Bobby Roberts Memorial Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 20:08 | Winning time: 4m 14.50s

Bobndave¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 105

7/1

Modest over hurdles so far (0-3), albeit is improving with experience; unsurprisingly was no match for Glinger Flame (third) over C&D 19 days ago; chance in calmer waters.

Form: 436743-

Dr Hooves^t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

9/4

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; 3L runner up to Grey Mist on hurdles debut at Musselburgh (2m4f); major player.

Form: 5229/2-

For Three^h²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: J Ewart| OR: 112

11/8

Knocking at the door over timber, but unable to force a winning opportunity just yet; on balance, must improve from his 15L third to Fransham in a 2m Wetherby maiden (good).

Form: 2253-

Karapiro Boy²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: Ruth Jefferson

66/1

Hopelessly tailed-off on Flat debut (1m4f) for Roger Fell at Catterick in June 2017; fared no better on hurdles debut for Ruth Jefferson at Wetherby 23 days ago; safely discounted.

Form: 0-

Mister Manduro³⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: Mrs A Hamilton

13/2

Bought by Brian Ellison (from Mark Johnston) for 30,000gns in October 2017, finishing third on his sole start for the Malton-based handler (April 2018); has moved on again; set for hurdling debut for Capheaton-based trainer Ann Hamilton.

Form:

Almazhar Garde^t1⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: G Sheehan| T: C E Longsdon

8/1

Brother to the smart chasers Hammersly Lake (1m7f-2m5f) and Kapsize (2m1f); back-peddled quickly on debut in a Wetherby bumper 46 days ago; tongue-tie now applied for hurdles bow; trainer 1-8 (13%) at Hexham.

Form: 5-

Forecasts

For Three (11/8), Dr Hooves (9/4), Mister Manduro (13/2), Bobndave (7/1), Almazhar Garde (8/1), Karapiro Boy (66/1)

Bobndave is improving with experience, and ran his best race yet when finishing a weakening 11¾L third to Glinger Flame over C&D last month. However, the horse to side with is the Lucinda Russell-trained DR HOOVES. Bought for €130,000 as a three-year-old this Yeats gelding has always been held in high regard by the 2017 Grand National winning trainer. He demonstrated solid form in bumpers, and offered much hope for the future when making a pleasing hurdles debut at Musselburgh (2m4f, good) 43 days ago.