CSP Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 4m 5.28s

Nina The Terrier²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| D

9/2

Bumper winner who looked potentially useful when making a successful hurdles bow at Warwick in May. Easily followed up 5 months on at Chepstow so rates a major player with even better to come.

Form: 1454-11

Karlie²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Brendan Powell| T: M Scudamore| D

28/1

Point winner who made a successful Rules debut in bumper at Taunton a year ago. Off the mark first time over hurdles after 9 months off (had wind op) at Exeter 4 weeks ago and may well do better.

Form: 51/156-1

Ahorsewithnoname²⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| BF

5/2

Useful bumper winner who shaped with plenty of promise on hurdling bow after 15 months off when runner-up over C&D last year. Not so good 8 months ago but it's still early days and she's in top hands.

Form: 431/26-

Becky The Boo²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| D

40/1

Winner of bumper at Newcastle in January and showed improved form on return when third of 7 at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good to soft) 20 days ago. Respected on hurdles debut.

Form: 417-3

Elle Est Belle²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

8/11

Made winning debut at Aintree before dead-heating in Cheltenham listed contest last November. Excellent efforts when placed at both tracks since and she warrants all the respect on hurdles bow/return.

Form: 1132-

Non-Runners

Mizz Moondance²²⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 6

T: R H Buckler J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Elle Est Belle (8/11), Ahorsewithnoname (5/2), Nina The Terrier (9/2), Karlie (28/1), Becky The Boo (40/1), Mizz Moondance (66/1)

A mouth-watering contest with the vote going to Dan Skelton's useful bumper performer ELLE EST BELLE. She's bound to win races over hurdles and gets the nod to make a successful return. Ahorsewithnoname's runner-up effort over this C&D last year just about sets the standard so she can give the selection most to think about, ahead of Alan King's unbeaten hurdler Nina The Terrier.