Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 4f 56y | 5 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: C Gordon| OR: 135

Irish point winner who is progressing well, notching his third novice hurdle win of the winter when seeing off 6 rivals at Plumpton (20.5f, soft) this month. Capable of mixing it at higher level.

Form: 25-2111

Bear Ghylls²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Matt Griffiths| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 140| D

Unbeaten in 4 starts, readily defying a mark of 130 on 18.5f Exeter handicap debut (heavy) 20 days ago. Step up in trip now in his favour. Can take the step up to Graded company in his stride.

Form: 1-111

Optimise Prime⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 128| D

Disappointed when fancied for Newton Abbot bumper in October but has made no mistake in pair of 2½m novice hurdles at Hereford since. This asks a much bigger question but he likely has more to offer.

Form: 811

Took The Lot⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130| D

Bumper winner who confirmed promise of hurdling debut when easily winning a couple of novice events at Bangor (19.5f) in November. Was well held in a 3m Grade 2 here last month, though.

Form: 37-2118

Wilde About Oscar³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136| D

Won novice hurdles at Uttoxeter (2m) and Aintree (2½m) this autumn with the minimum fuss. Bad mistake 4 out knocked stuffing out him out of him when pulled up in Challow at Newbury last time.

Form: 214-11P

Forecasts

Bear Ghylls (1/1), Annual Invictus (3/1), Wilde About Oscar (4/1), Optimise Prime (8/1), Took The Lot (20/1)

BEAR GHYLLS looks a really exciting prospect and can step up again now moving into Graded company and extend his unbeaten record to 5. Wilde About Oscar is definitely better than he was able to show in the Challow but it could be that the main threat emerges from Annual Invictus, who has racked up a hat-trick in novices this winter.