EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 6m 17.9s

Elf De Re³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 127| C

2/1

Made a good start over hurdles when third here (2m) on debut earlier in the season, before winning easily over that trip (soft) back here last month. Step up in trip ought to suit. Big player.

Form: 65-31

Kiltealy Briggs^t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 133

1/4

Wide margin scorer at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) in November and performed with credit in a Cheltenham Grade 2 last time (3m, soft). This is not as deep-a-race and he looks the one to beat on that latest evidence.

Form: 2/2213

Folks Like Us⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans

40/1

Was pulled up on his debut in an Irish point in November and can only watch him in this field on his rules debut.

Form: P

Schiehallion Ridge⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs J Stephen

125/1

150-1 and never got in a blow on debut at Ayr (2m, soft) in October. Step up in trip should help, but can only watch this time.

Form: 7-0

Lissen To The Lady³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Willmott⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S E Forster

125/1

Well held in all three starts in bumpers and also both, so far, over hurdles. Impossible to recommend until we see signs of ability from her.

Form: 66-689

Non-Runners

Pentelitubby²

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: S Corbett J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Kiltealy Briggs (1/4), Elf De Re (2/1), Folks Like Us (40/1), Pentelitubby (66/1), Lissen To The Lady (125/1), Schiehallion Ridge (125/1)

On paper this looks to be a match between Elf De Re, who is respected over this longer trip, and KILTEALY BRIGGS, who is preferred after a solid effort in better company last time. The remainder are likely to some way behind in chasing third prize .