Casino At Virgin Bet EBF Stallions 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:55 | Winning time: 5m 12.1s

Mossy Fen³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

5/4

Debut winner at Worcester (2m7f, good to soft) last month, when looking potentially useful. Penalised for that, but should again be a big player.

Form: F1-1

Champagne Noir¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon

7/1

7-2 on debut at Carlisle (2m4f, good to soft), when he raced keenly and finished a 12L second, which was a decent effort. Should come on for that, and could get much closer here if settling better.

Form: 3-2

Cubao²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss R Curtis

9/2

Debut bumper winner at Ludlow (good) in May and bettered that under a penalty on his return from a break last month. Bred for this switch to obstacles, and no surprise to see him go well on hurdles debut.

Form: 14

Jelski²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| BF

7/2

Won a Ffos Las bumper (soft) in January. Couldn't improve on that in two more runs in that sphere. Hung right when a beaten favourite on his hurdles debut at Carlisle last month. Looks stable's second string.

Form: 5107-2

Keep Wondering²³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Dave Crosse| T: P Hobbs & J White

6/1

Won an Irish point at the third attempt in March. Changed hands since then, and makes rules debut for a trainer who's string is going well. Acts on soft. Market check.

Form: 2S1-

Maria Francesca¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

66/1

Well held in all starts so far and very firmly her stable's third string here.

Form: 03-850

Forecasts

Mossy Fen (5/4), Jelski (7/2), Cubao (9/2), Keep Wondering (6/1), Champagne Noir (7/1), Maria Francesca (66/1)

Nigel Twiston-Davies appears to hold the key to this race, saddling half the field, and top weight MOSSY FEN is taken to follow up his debut success. Stablemate Jelski should be capable of better, and he can fight out minor honours with Champagne Noir and Cubao.