British Stallion Studs EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 4m 58.90s

Stick With Bill²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: H Whittington| OR: 132

1/1

Bumper and dual hurdles winner he found life easier when winning on handicap debut at Sandown last time in testing conditions (2m4f) than he had in a Grade 1 the time before. Faces a stiff task under a double penalty versus some useful sorts.

Form: 12-2141

Lieutenant Rocco⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: R M Power| T: C L Tizzard| D

7/4

Third on his one completed point-to-point start he looked a good prospect when making a winning debut over hurdles at Chepstow (2m4f, heavy). Jumped/travelled well, ought to have more scope yet despite his penalty.

Form: P-31

Brummie Boys⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 118

5/1

Shown ability in all his starts making a fair debut in his only bumper before producing two sound efforts over hurdles late last year. Second to the useful Black Pirate at Wetherby last time over an inadequate 2m; has scope returned to this trip.

Form: 3-42

Larcadio³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Henderson

100/1

Wining Irish point-to-pointer on his fourth start having failed to complete in all his previous runs. Shown very little in two decent novice hurdles although not given a hard time; will show more in low-grade handicaps once he has a mark.

Form: FF1-509

Mint Condition³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: J Candlish

14/1

Showed up well here on debut in a bumper that looks decent form prior to doing the same on her hurdles debut at Newbury (behind Shishkin). Not given an unduly hard time (beaten 23L); should improve stepping up to this distance.

Form: 4-34

Tip Top Cat¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jordan Nailor⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

80/1

Sent over hurdles having had just one bumper start in which he needed the experience. 50-1 at Market Rasen he took time to warm to his task (jumped better in the latter stages); looks one for the longer-term.

Form: 74

Toad^h³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Howell

66/1

Has a decent jumping pedigree but was picked up for just £800 as a 6yo and looked to need the run on his bumper debut behind the smart Adrimel. Hooded for his hurdling debut he once again showed some ability hitting the frame at 100-1; may do better.

Form: 53

Forecasts

Stick With Bill (1/1), Lieutenant Rocco (7/4), Brummie Boys (5/1), Mint Condition (14/1), Toad (66/1), Tip Top Cat (80/1), Larcadio (100/1)

Stick With Bill returns to novice company having gained an 8lb rise in his mark for his gutsy Sandown win last time but he doesn’t face an easy task under a double penalty as he bids to follow up and record his third win over timber. LIEUTENANT ROCCO shades the argument here having won last time out from the front and despite his penalty he looks to have plenty of scope to maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles. Brummie Boys has shown that he deserves respect although his form wouldn’t match that of the aforementioned duo. Mint Condition shouldn’t be ignored both his bumper and hurdles debuts have caught the eye and if there were to b an upset he could well provide it.