Cherries Hair & Beauty Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 5.31s

Siannes Star²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: B Ellison| OR: 124

6/4

Won at the ninth attempt over hurdles when blitzing his field at Perth last month; won by 20l and, having gone up to a 14lb higher mark, he would face a sterner test if this were a handicap. Sound claims of following up at this level.

Form: 635461-

Jacamar^h1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Kevin Jones⁽³⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 118

7/2

Improved since switching to hurdles and likely there's a good bit more to come; won well on his debut over timber and the form of his latest start has been franked since. First time in a hood might also boost his concentration. Shortlisted.

Form: 76613-

Poor Duke¹³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Dave Crosse| T: M Mullineaux

150/1

Modest handicapper on the Flat and makes limited appeal now he tries hurdling for the first time. (Has raced only once in the last two years and was well beaten on that occasion.)

Form:

Size Matters¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Henry Brooke| T: M Walford

33/1

Won over 7f and was also placed over 1m2f on the Flat but lost his way last year and dropped to a mark of just 48 after a moderate effort on his reappearance at Southwell earlier this month. Hard to recommend now his switches codes.

Form:

Swaffham Bulbeck^p,t⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Cillin Leonard⁽¹⁰⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 119

6/5

Was a well backed favourite when winning a conditional riders race at Fakenham in March and showed a good attitude to hold on near the finish. Same jockey takes 10lb off with his claim and the partnership has to merit consideration again.

Form: 25/2231-

Invisible Shadow^t⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: W T Kennedy| T: A M HalesWS

66/1

Poor maiden on the Flat and showed little in the way of ability when brushed aside on hurdles debut at the end of March; not much to recommend following the gelding on his first start since having a wind operation.

Form: 50-

Unique Company¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Ross Chapman| T: D Thompson

100/1

Well beaten in all starts on the Flat and is probably safe to leave out of the betting plans now he switches to the jumping game.

Form:

Forecasts

Swaffham Bulbeck (6/5), Siannes Star (6/4), Jacamar (7/2), Size Matters (33/1), Invisible Shadow (66/1), Unique Company (100/1), Poor Duke (150/1)

A weak even can go the way of SIANNES STAR, who won with plenty in hand at Perth last month and will be hard to beat if posting a similar effort this time. Jacamar is going the right way and merits consideration at this level even though the fitting of a hood does temper the confidence a little. Swaffham Bulbeck won a conditional riders race in gritty style last week and is easily the best of the rest.