Betway EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 13.90s

Hijack¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 133

3/1

Has won both starts over hurdles at Ludlow, building on debut effort when winning last time by 3¼L from South Seas. Should progress again, although has a double penalty to defy.

Form: 511

Hometown Boy⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 127| C

13/8

Improved markedly on earlier placed efforts at around 2m when landing a 2m3f handicap here on Boxing Day. More on his plate under a penalty, but longer trip ought to help.

Form: 1-4331

McFabulous⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

5/4

High-class bumper performer who won a Grade 2 event at Aintree in April. Promising second on hurdles bow, and bogged down in a Grade 2 at Ascot last time. Remains with potential, and should take plenty of beating here.

Form: 1711-24

Tip Top Cat³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

50/1

From family of top-class 2m chaser Woolcombe Folly, but looked in need of time when mid-field in a bumper at Warwick in late-December. Stiff task here on hurdles bow.

Form: 7

Non-Runners

No Getaway⁵³

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

McFabulous (5/4), Hometown Boy (13/8), Hijack (3/1), Tip Top Cat (50/1)

He could be described as disappointing since switched to hurdles, but MCFABULOUS remains with plenty of potential as a hurdler, especially away from testing ground, and he should have little trouble taking this in receipt of weight from the penalised pair Hijack and Hometown Boy. The former is marginally preferred for the forecast despite his double penalty.