Racing TV Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:20 | Winning time: 3m 55.1s

Your Darling¹⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: B Pauling| OR: 116| DWS

15/8

Impressive winner of Newbury bumper early last year and, while he hasn't kicked on from that (underwhelming both starts over hurdles), he may well up his game now handicapping after 179 days off.

Form: 1P/34-

Pawpaw²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: R P McLernon| T: P R Webber| OR: 120| D

3/1

Fair winner AW Flat winner for Clive Cox who showed much improved form to readily score on his third start over hurdles at Southwell 23 days ago. More to come now stepping into handicaps.

Form: 541-

Mr Lombardi²⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 112

50/1

Fair hurdler who made an inauspicious start over fences when pulled up 8 months ago at Wexford. Has since left Mouse Morris and probably best watched on handicap bow/return over timber.

Form: P0/359P-

Above Suspicion^h1⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 112

7/1

Fair form when third in 2m novice hurdles at Uttoxeter and Stratford in October. Had little luck in running when well held on handicap debut at Newbury 61 days ago and a hood is now applied.

Form: 4/330-

Grouseman⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: G Sheehan| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 112

14/1

Modest maiden on the Flat but already better over hurdles, hitting the crossbar in juvenile hurdles at Catterick and Fakenham the last twice. Little show on handicap debut so more needed here.

Form: 4229-

Reverend Jacobs³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Charlie Hammond| T: N Kent| OR: 99| BF| D

11/4

Useful at best on Flat and showed benefit of recent hurdles spin when making all in a conditional jockeys' handicap at Wetherby in March. Narrowly went down in follow-up bid leading claims here.

Form: P86612-

Non-Runners

Lady Of The Night⁷⁰

Weight: 11-11| Age: 8

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: David Bass

Forecasts

Your Darling (15/8), Reverend Jacobs (11/4), Pawpaw (3/1), Lady Of The Night (4/1), Above Suspicion (7/1), Grouseman (14/1), Mr Lombardi (50/1)

A few in with chances but this can go to bottom-weight REVEREND JACOBS, who failed narrowly to take advantage of a good opportunity to supplement his Wetherby success at Fakenham just over 5 weeks ago but can get back to winning ways from his revised mark here. Your Darling may well up his game now handicapping/after a breathing operation so heads the possible dangers, ahead of Pawpaw.