bet365 Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 3m 55.00s

Santani²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds| OR: 130| D

4/7

130-rated after winning two of his four novice contests thus far, the latest at Ludlow by 10L. Now carries a double penalty but sure to make a bold bid.

Form: 1-221

Detatched¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: L Heard| T: Henry Oliver

100/1

Won an Irish point-to-point but went off 18/1 and finished well adrift when eighth of nine here earlier this month. One who may need more time and distance before coming into his own.

Form: 3/1P-8

Iconic Hero⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

4/1

0-9 in point-to-points but debut run over hurdles wasn't devoid of promise (fifth of 10); might just need more experience over timber though.

Form: P43P3-5

Scottsdale⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁷⁾| T: P Winks| D

25/1

Dual bumper winner in 2017 but flat form since moving to this yard far less compelling and beaten out of sight the last twice. Hurdles debut but can only recommend a watching brief.

Form: 4211/

Oskemen⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy

14/1

Placed three times from 13 starts on Flat for Archie Watson and joined current shrewd yard in April. Tailed off on hurdles bow at Warwick but major step forward next when ½L second at Market Rasen to evens fav stablemate. Genuine chance now.

Form: 02-

Ventura Dragon⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| BF

5/1

74-rated triple Flat winner who started out over hurdles with a pleasing second of nine beaten 4L at Perth. Should come on plenty for that and maybe the biggest threat now to Santani.

Form: 2

Forecasts

Santani (4/7), Iconic Hero (4/1), Ventura Dragon (5/1), Oskemen (14/1), Scottsdale (25/1), Detatched (100/1)

Although facing the tough task of shouldering a double penalty SANTANI is fancied to overcome that and register a third win in five starts over hurdles after impressing once again at Ludlow last time out. Less experienced pair Ventura Dragon and Oskemen both arrive on the back of second placed finishes and with them both receiving 12lb from the selection they too have their merits.