masdings.com Best Dressed Gent EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 57.1s

Echiquier²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132

15/8

Ex French trained hurdler who had a simple task on British debut at Hexham but has bettered that form under difficult tasks at Chepstow and Haydock since. Conditions fine and this a more realistic task.

Form: F52-156

Keen On³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

13/8

Showed good attitude when scoring at Sandown on hurdling debut over 2m on heavy ground last month. That form looks solid with the placed horses running well since and bred to relish this longer trip so very much respected.

Form: 21

Blackfinch⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds

9/4

Runner up to a smart subsequent winner on hurdling debut at Huntingdon and the well beaten third has also won since. Sure to improve again and with stamina assured looks sure to ,make his presence felt.

Form: 2-2

Hang Tough⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'NeillWS

66/1

Poor jumper who has shown nothing in three runs over hurdles and wind operation since last run needs to make a huge difference.

Form: 43PP-0

Islandray²³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips

50/1

Took nine attempts to get off the mark in point-to-points and this is a strong contest for him to be making hurdles debut and others make much more appeal.

Form: 44U52-1

Non-Runners

Do Your Job⁷⁰

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: Miss C Dyson J: L Treadwell

Forecasts

Keen On (13/8), Echiquier (15/8), Blackfinch (9/4), Do Your Job (10/1), Islandray (50/1), Hang Tough (66/1)

This looks a really strong novice for the track and a win for any of the top three wouldn't surprise but with the prospect of more to come at this trip it may pay to side with the Sandown winner KEEN ON. Echiquier has shown good form since coming from France and and along with Blackfinch will be ready to strike if the selection isn't at his best.