bet365 Premier Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 26.94s

My Drogo⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

2/1

Good looking son of Milan who made the perfect start over hurdles at Newbury before following up in Grade 2 Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle at Ascot. Smart prospect who can go on improving.

Form: 211

Bareback Jack²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 137

6/1

Irish point winner who is unbeaten in 3 hurdle starts and likely has more to come now stepping up in trip.

Form: 1-111

Alright Sunshine¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish

22/1

Useful in bumpers, winning 3 of his 4 starts, and is just as good on the Flat. Encouraging start in this sphere when runner-up here (16.2f) 15 days ago and can improve over this longer trip.

Form: 1211/2

Any News⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 143| BF

3/1

Has made a bright start under Rules, supplementing his Exeter bumper win on hurdles bow at Bangor. Lost nothing in defeat in better company at Cheltenham and should go on progressing after a break.

Form: F-112

Castle Rushen¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: N G Richards| OR: 135| BF

14/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who landed first 2 hurdle starts at Ayr befoe going down only on the nod giving weight to a promising rival at Carlisle (17f) 18 days ago. Could do better still.

Form: 12-112

Do Your Job^t1⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| OR: 136WS

10/1

Irish point winner who has done well over hurdles this term, scoring twice before good second in Haydock listed event. Limitations exposed in the Tolworth at Sandown last time, though. Tongue tied.

Form: 52-1124

Lucky One^h³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 143

9/2

Free-going front runner who doubled his tally with a dominant display in 18-runner novice at Wincanton last month, hard held. That form has been franked since, so he commands respect up in grade.

Form: 4-72131

Forecasts

My Drogo (2/1), Any News (3/1), Lucky One (9/2), Bareback Jack (6/1), Do Your Job (10/1), Castle Rushen (14/1), Alright Sunshine (22/1)

MY DROGO had subsequent Betfair Hurdle winner Soaring Glory comfortably held back in third when landing the Grade 2 Kennel Gate at Ascot in December, so with the prospect of more to come now stepping up in trip, he's fancied to concede weight all round and maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles. Any News, Lucky One and Bareback Jack are all interesting rivals, though.