Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 3m 45.50s

Atholl Street^t⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135| D

7/4

Well held sole start in bumpers but a different proposition over hurdles, winning both starts at Taunton (16.4f) in good style, looking much more professional last time. Open to further improvement.

Form: 6-11

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Calico³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

11/4

Useful on the Flat in Germany, winner 3 times in 2020, and perfect start to hurdles career when seeing off 12 rivals at Ludlow (15.8f, heavy). Open to improvement and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 1

Cape Gentleman²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: E Mullins| D

5/2

Useful Flat performer who looked an exciting hurdles prospect when winning hard held at Punchestown (20f) in December. Clearly wasn't 100% when pulled up last time and remains open to improvement.

Form: 1P

Lunar Sovereign^t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130| D

16/1

Has surpassed his fair bumper form in winning both his starts over hurdles at Wetherby and Doncaster. Doesn't quite have the potential of some of these but he's earnt a shot at this level nonetheless.

Form: 656311

Mackenberg²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 130| D

28/1

£90,000 purchase who got off the mark over hurdles in good style at Carlisle (17f). Heavy defeat at Aintree in December but got back on track with success in jumpers bumper last time.

Form: 14-1231

Son Of Red⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 124| D

18/1

Steady improver on the Flat who put up a fairly useful to make a successful debut over hurdles at Newcastle in November. Failed to progress in a stronger race at Cheltenham but may still do better.

Form: 13

Pyramid Place^h¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Reed| T: M F Harris| OR: 120| D

28/1

Made it 3-5 over hurdles with success in small-field handicap at Catterick (15.7f) 11 days ago, despite looking less than straightforward. This obviously asks for more.

Form: 21711

Forecasts

Atholl Street (7/4), Cape Gentleman (5/2), Calico (11/4), Lunar Sovereign (16/1), Son Of Red (18/1), Mackenberg (28/1), Pyramid Place (28/1)

ATHOLL STREET was impressive in winning both his hurdle starts at Taunton before the turn of the year and appeals as the type to go on progressing back from a break, so he’s fancied to land the hat-trick up in grade. Calico created a good impression at Ludlow and seems sure to go on to better things, while Cape Gentleman clearly wasn't right when pulled up last time and remains with potential.