Robert Kelly Is 80 On Thursday Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 6m 51.10s

Diomede Des Mottes^t¹⁸⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 129| DWS

9/4

Given a wind op ahead of this reappearance having scored on his last start at Warwick (2m5f) proving his run the time before to be all wrong. Tongue-tie worn on his last start is retained; sets the standard on form and official ratings.

Form: 623301-

Big Nasty¹⁷³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: L P Aspell| T: M Keighley

6/4

Modest sort in bumpers his hurdles debut after having four months off was an improvement although he was probably flattered by getting close to the winner. Shapes like a stayer so no surprise this sort of trip suits but does need more on return.

Form: 342-

Champagne Vintage³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: J R Jenkins

150/1

Maiden in point-to-points he's been well held in both his debut effort in a bumper and over hurdles. Beaten 29L at Worcester last time he would need to have made considerable progress to take a hand in this.

Form: F4/2-484

Len Brennan¹⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 120

3/1

Quickly switched to fences after just one Stratford hurdles run around a year ago showing an aptitude for that sphere without registering a win. Returns from an absence over a trip that should suit, still has something to offer over timber.

Form: 2322P7-

Peter's Portrait¹⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| D

14/1

Irish point-to-point winner on his sole start in that discipline before showing promise on his Rules debut at Wetherby (fell 3 out). Went backwards from that effort when last seen at Uttoxeter; may yet prove himself over hurdles.

Form: 1F4-

Princess Nearco⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁵⁾| T: L Bailey| C

16/1

Modest sort on the Flat she surprised when making a winning hurdles debut here over 2m4f (putting three rivals in their place). Entitled to progress but has since run well below-par back on the Flat; possible a return to hurdles will suit.

Form: 1

Miss Zip⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams

66/1

Runner-up in both her point-to-point starts her fourth on hurdles debut showed that there was something to work on (given a considerate ride). Went backwards from her hurdling debut when last seen (only beat one home); something to prove.

Form: 2-246

Forecasts

Big Nasty (6/4), Diomede Des Mottes (9/4), Len Brennan (3/1), Peter's Portrait (14/1), Princess Nearco (16/1), Miss Zip (66/1), Champagne Vintage (150/1)

After failing to fire in the EBF Final at Sandown DIOMEDE DES MOTTES got his career firmly back on track at Warwick when last seen equipped with a tongue-tie. That piece of equipment is now retained on the back of a wind op and he should have enough class to concede weight all round. Big Nasty produced a notably better performance when tried over a trip more in keeping with his pedigree at Wetherby on hurdles debut; he may have been slightly flattered but rates the main danger. Len Brennan returned to hurdles and course winner Princess Nearco add a little more depth to the contest but would need to produce a career-best to win.