Towergate Caravan Insurance Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 19:50 | Winning time: 5m 9.6s

Southfield Torr²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 106| C

9/4

Came good at the eighth attempt when a winner here last month, and the way he got on top late there suggests this extra yardage won't be an issue. Needs a bit more at these weights but in form and may do better again now he knows how to win.

Form: 422081-

Craigmor^p¹²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 112| D

6/4

Winner of two of his last three (over fences) but he doesn't make life easy for himself at times, and his pulled-up effort at Bangor in between them only emphasises that point. Return to hurdles may help but he has his risks.

Form: 3/321P1-

Fubar^t1⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

11/4

Steady form in four bumpers although you'd be hard pushed to say he improved, but looks the sort that will do better once seeing some obstacles and may now take off. Step up in trip should help too, and he's interesting.

Form: 2433-

The Very Thing⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 110

10/1

No win in seven starts and in truth, already looks regressive. Was already in the retreat when hampered at Market Rasen last time out and although he has chances on the figures, may find others improving past him here.

Form: 32D537-

Non-Runners

Shades of Silver³⁰

Weight: 10-12| Age: 9

T: Alexandra Dunn J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Craigmor (6/4), Southfield Torr (9/4), Fubar (11/4), The Very Thing (10/1), Shades of Silver (50/1)

Southfield Torr comes into this in good form and although he's got plenty on at the weights today, particularly as he's giving a penalty away, there's less questions about him than a few and he should be thereabouts. FUBAR looks sure to do better now he goes up in trip and sees some hurdles, and his bumper form entitles him to plenty of respect. Craigmor looks the best of the Olly Murphy pair.