'Fearless', The Tim Brookshaw Story, Launches Today 'National Hunt' Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 29.70s

Electron Bleu³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 122

11/2

Making his first appearance since wind surgery when finishing runner-up in a 2m6f novice hurdle at Newcastle (soft) just under a month ago. Leading contender dropping slightly in distance on return to handicap company.

Form: 35-6362

Nautical Star⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 122WS

13/2

Put a disappointing effort behind him when finishing runner-up in a novice hurdle over 2m on soft ground here in December. Given a break since and is one to note on handicap debut and on his first attempt at this trip.

Form: 462

Exod'ela^t1⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 119

7/2

Point-to-point winner has placed on all four starts under Rules so far including when 26L third in a 2m7f novice hurdle at Exeter (heavy) in December. Tongue tie applied for the first time on handicap debut.

Form: 1-2323

Oscar Asche^p⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Lorcan Williams⁽³⁾| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 118| CD

3/1

Off the mark at the third attempt over hurdles when winning a maiden hurdle over this C&D on soft ground last month. Cheekpieces worn for the first time that day are retained for his first start in handicaps.

Form: 51-6351

The Newest One²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 117

7/2

Shown ability in all three starts over hurdles to date including when 28L third in a 2m novice hurdle at Sandown (heavy) at the start of this month. Likely more needed upped in trip if he's to take this race on handicap debut however.

Form: 4533

Grey Getaway^p1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 114

11/2

Six race maiden was beaten 17½L when third off a mark of 115 over an extended 2m3f at Chepstow (heavy) on handicap debut at the end of last month. Cheekpieces tried for the first time stepping up in distance.

Form: 6-68793

Forecasts

Oscar Asche (3/1), Exod'ela (7/2), The Newest One (7/2), Electron Bleu (11/2), Grey Getaway (11/2), Nautical Star (13/2)

NAUTICAL STAR looks likely to appreciate this step up in trip on handicap debut and having had wind surgery since his most recent start he can register his first victory with the forecast underfoot conditions also likely to suit. Electron Bleu should have no issues dropping slightly in distance and he can take second spot ahead of Grey Getaway who wears cheekpieces for the first time and has the services of a useful conditional jockey on his first attempt at this distance.