BetVictor Make Your Best Bet Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 5m 27.20s

Fakiera²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 133| CD

5/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 2 wins from 2 runs this season. Career best when winning 7-runner Monksfield Novices' Hurdle (4/1) at this C&D (heavy) 26 days ago by ½ length from Fire Attack. This is tougher.

Form: 4222-11

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Ashdale Bob²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: P D Kennedy| T: Mrs J Harrington| CD

14/1

Lightly-raced winner over hurdles. Career best when winning 11-runner novice hurdle at this C&D (heavy, 5/1) 26 days ago, pushed out. Much more on his plate now, but he's open to progress.

Form: 435-1

Eskylane^t1⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| BF| C

10/1

Lightly-raced winner under Rules. 5/4, 6½ lengths fifth of 8 to N'golo in For Auction Novices' Hurdle at this course (16f, soft) 40 days ago. Up in trip and tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 1215-15

Fighter Allen³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins

11/4

Promising type. First run since leaving Gordon Elliott when winning a 14-runner minor event hurdle at Punchestown (21.6f, heavy, 11/10) 33 days ago, always holding on. Not dismissed lightly.

Form: 17-1

Gabynako²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Moore| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 132

11/2

Lightly-raced winner under Rules. 4/6, didn't need to improve to win 17-runner novice hurdle at Naas (16f, heavy) 27 days ago, keeping on well. Up in trip and shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 23-221

Lieutenant Command²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade

33/1

Lightly-raced winner under Rules. 10/3, 9½ lengths sixth of 7 to Fakiera in Monksfield Novices' Hurdle at this C&D (heavy) 26 days ago. Clearly needs to raise his game.

Form: F/13-16

Holymacapony³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| D

7/4

Promising sort. Won 20-runner novice hurdle at Punchestown (20.4f, heavy, 7/2) on NH debut 34 days ago, responding well. Likely to take this step up in class in his stride.

Form: 1-1

Forecasts

Holymacapony (7/4), Fighter Allen (11/4), Fakiera (5/1), Gabynako (11/2), Eskylane (10/1), Ashdale Bob (14/1), Lieutenant Command (33/1)

It was hard not to be impressed by the way HOLYMACAPONY went about his business when making a winning Rules debut at Punchestown. The sky could be the limit for this 4-y-o, who receives weight from each of his six rivals. Second choice is Fighter Allen, who made a winning start for Willie Mullins last month and remains open to improvement. Gabynako should also be on the premises.