Unibet Persian War Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 32.65s

McFabulous²⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145| C

4/6

Smart in bumpers and produced a performance of similar merit when a clear-cut winner of the EBF Final at Kempton on handicap debut in March. That sets the standard and there should be more to come.

Form: 11/2411-

Courtandbould³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135| D

13/2

Showed plenty of ability in bumpers and fine start over hurdles, tasting defeat just once from 4 starts in novice company. Holds fitness advantage over some and well worth his place at this level.

Form: F-31121

Everglow³²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

25/1

Only just edged out in a tight finish in a bumper at this meeting a year ago and confirmed that promise when third in listed company a month later. Bred and built for obstacles.

Form: 23-

Getaround^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Bryan Carver| T: Ella Pickard| OR: 139| C

11/1

Point/bumper winner who maintained unbeaten record over hurdles when landing the odds on last month's reappearance at Perth (20.2f). Expected to leave bare form behind.

Form: 1/3181-1

One For The Team²⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Nick Williams| OR: 140

6/1

Shaped well in a couple of handicaps prior to opening his hurdles account on final start last season at Newbury in February. That form entitles him to respect and he should cope with drop in trip.

Form: 44/2231-

Petrastar^h,t⁵⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: D J Jeffreys| OR: 131

12/1

Fairly useful maiden on Flat for Clive Cox and has wasted no time improving career strike rate over hurdles, completing hat-trick in ready fashion at Perth in August. This asks for more.

Form: 1-11

Legends Ryde^t²¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 123WS

25/1

Progressed well in bumpers and opened her hurdles account against her own sex at Ffos Las in March. Has undergone another breathing operation ahead of return and this is quite a tall order.

Form: 5/12421-

Forecasts

McFabulous (4/6), One For The Team (6/1), Courtandbould (13/2), Getaround (11/1), Petrastar (12/1), Everglow (25/1), Legends Ryde (25/1)

MCFABULOUS didn't scale the heights some expected as a novice last season given his bumper form, but he did end the campaign with a decisive handicap win and is selected to successfully concede weight all round. Courtandbould is fit and in top form, which may enable him to grab some place prize money, while it's interesting to see Philip Hobbs pitch Everglow in deep on hurdles bow.