Thames Materials Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 48.12s

Master Debonair⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 151| C

5/4

Successful in both starts at this track (2m, soft/heavy); took the scalps of some much heralded opponents when making all in the Gr 2 Kennel Gate in mid-December; shouldn't be at all troubled by this extra yardage (on pedigree).

Form: 105-211

Sporting John⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: B J Geraghty| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 146

6/4

Bought for £160,000 at the Cheltenham Sale (Mar 2019); unbeaten in two starts under rules (Exeter, 2m1f); the form of his first success has been handsomely advertised since by Harry Senior, Bullionaire, Kissesforkatie and Eritage; exciting prospect.

Form: 1-11

Pipesmoker⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

9/2

Runner-up in a Huntingdon bumper (2m, good); bettered that form when finishing a close third to better-fancied stablemate Chantry House (won since) and the Rossington Main winner Stolen Silver (Pileon fourth) on Cheltenham (2m1f gd/sft) hurdles bow.

Form: 23

Torn And Frayed⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 125

14/1

Out of his depth behind Thebannerkingrebel in a Listed contest at Haydock (2m, good to soft) in November; runner-up in a 2m5½f maiden here (heavy) subsequently; projected outsider despite his overall form lines reading reasonably well.

Form: 5-252

Forecasts

Master Debonair (5/4), Sporting John (6/4), Pipesmoker (9/2), Torn And Frayed (14/1)

The exciting Sporting John defends his unbeaten record, while Nicky Henderson's Pipesmoker demonstrated obvious signs of ability when finishing third on his hurdles debut at Cheltenham (form franked since). However, the form standard is undoubtedly set by the ultra-talented MASTER DEBONAIR. He was always in full control when taking the scalp of the Nicky Richards-trained Ribble Valley (fourth placed McFabulous a winner since) in a strong looking Grade 2 Kennel Gate Hurdle here prior to Christmas. By Yeats out of the 2m-2m5f hurdle winner Swincombe Flame there's no reason whatsoever to envisage a scenario where he's troubled by stepping up in trip.