Ballymore Leamington Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 5m 6.30s

Decor Irlandais²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr N McParlan| T: N C Kelly| OR: 145

8/1

Returned from a break with a 2½L victory in a novice hurdle over an extended 2m3f at Catterick (good-to-soft) last month. Has won over further in the past and is one to note in this contest.

Form: 111241

Keen On²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134

5/1

Unbeaten in two starts over hurdles with his most recent victory coming over an extended 2m4f at Southwell (heavy) just under a month ago. Represents a top yard and is a notable runner stepping up in grade.

Form: 211

Mossy Fen²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 132

7/2

Dual hurdles winner including over 2m4f at Aintree (soft) in a novice event in November. Hampered when 7L fourth upped to 3m in a Grade 2 novice contest at Cheltenham (soft) subsequently and is of interest dropping in trip.

Form: F1-114

Shan Blue²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 135

11/4

Put a fall at Newbury behind him when winning by 20L over an extended 1m7f at Southwell (heavy) last time out. Represents a top yard and is an interesting runner upped in trip.

Form: 13-2F1

Whatsupwithyou²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling

10/1

Point-to-point winner just under 12 months ago and made the perfect start to his Rules career when taking a heavy ground maiden hurdle over an extended 2m5f at Ascot last month. Worth a check in the market in this contest.

Form: 421-1

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 25p in the pound

Non-Runners

Harry Senior¹⁵

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: C L Tizzard J: R M Power

Forecasts

Shan Blue (11/4), Mossy Fen (7/2), Harry Senior (4/1), Keen On (5/1), Decor Irlandais (8/1), Whatsupwithyou (10/1)

HARRY SENIOR impressed in winning a maiden hurdle last time out and he can make his first start in Graded company a winning one with a victory in this competitive looking novices' hurdle. The selection can get the better of Keen On who hails from a top yard while third place can go to Irish raider Decor Irlandais who has won three times over hurdles already.