Sky Sports Racing Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:57 | Winning time: 5m 50.33s

Buttevant Lady^t1⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton

25/1

Sprang an 80-1 surprise in a Wexford maiden hurdle in June but couldn't match that form on first start for new yard at Perth inn September. Tongue-tie now added and chances of the places if bouncing back.

Form: PP-515

Farocco^t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: M A Barnes| OR: 97

9/2

Regressive handicap hurdler that reverts to novice company here, but positives are thin on the ground and he faces another uphill battle against a few of these.

Form: 76758-5

Len Brennan⁹

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

1/4

Not the biggest but has been jumping fences with great aplomb and another solid effort at Chepstow on latest start shows his wellbeing; reverts to hurdles with a golden opportunity to score in a weak contest.

Form: 22P7-23

New Frontier¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish

16/1

Half-brother to a few hurdles/chase winners gives some hope for the future, but he looked to need more time and experience based on his debut sixth at Carlisle last month when he was too keen. May improve here but a lot to do to win.

Form: 6

Red Star Dancer¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Thompson

80/1

Regressive on the Flat, rated just 45 now, and didn't really shown enough on hurdles debut here last month to think he's up to winning this.

Form: 8

Tico Times¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer

18/1

Showed no more than spits and spots of ability in four Irish bumpers for another yard earlier in the year, has since joined new yard and was pulled up on Aintree debut last month. Hard to fancy.

Form: 75783P

Non-Runners

Tango Boy²¹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: N P Mulholland J: R T Dunne

Forecasts

Len Brennan (1/4), Tango Boy (9/4), Farocco (9/2), New Frontier (16/1), Tico Times (18/1), Buttevant Lady (25/1), Red Star Dancer (80/1)

This does look like LEN BRENNAN'S race to lose. He's been running well over fences without success but is just as good over hurdles and a repeat of either of his last two starts should see him home in front. Tango Boy looks the one for the forecast, with two solid efforts on the board already and the promise of more to come now he steps up in trip, and perhaps New Frontier might prove best of the rest.