Rewards4Racing Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 21:05 | Winning time: 5m 9.90s

Golden Taipan^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 129

5/2

Bumper form too a stride forward after a wind op and there was further improvement when he scored on his hurdling debut at Warwick. Ran into a really progressive type under a penalty last time; step up to 2m4f for the first time.

Form: 3404-12

Smith's Bay³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 123

1/2

Bumper winner on his debut ay Taunton (justified strong support) he's taken a while to show his true worth over hurdles. The race he won at Warwick last time rather fell in his lap (leader stopped quickly); scenario unlikely to be replayed here.

Form: 15/65-1

Arakhan⁸⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: R A Fahey

6/1

Bumper winner who looked well suited by the test of stamina that he got when winning at Carlisle over two years ago. Only seen once since then under a penalty (failed to follow up; unsuited by sharp track); returns over hurdles from a long absence.

Form: 5314/

Hediddodinthe²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: P Winks

33/1

Fair sort over staying trips on the Flat (only win over 2m) although he looked to be on the downgrade in that sphere (last three runs). Shaped well enough on his hurdling debut (weak heat) but has plenty to find on the principals.

Form: 3

Forecasts

Smith's Bay (1/2), Golden Taipan (5/2), Arakhan (6/1), Hediddodinthe (33/1)

Given his bumper form and coming from a stable that will be no stranger to getting one ready after a long absence (yard 1-7 with jumps runners off 500 plus days) Arakhan should not be underestimated despite having two useful but penalised sorts to cope with. Quite difficult to split the big two but the vote narrowly goes to SMITH’S BAY who ran out an 8L winner last time having already won a bumper on soft ground. Golden Taipan has shown a lot more switched to hurdles and is rated 6lb superior to his main rival but he has to prove himself over this trip and on the ground. Hediddointhe finished a modest third last time and a repeat of the form won’t be good enough even in receipt of weight.