Visit racingtv.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 18.99s

Captain Biggles³³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 118| BF

6/4

Well held sole start in bumpers but displayed plenty of ability in finishing runner-up all 3 starts in novice/maiden hurdles last winter. Goes handicapping on return with yard in good form and claims.

Form: 5/222-

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Father John⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 118| D

11/1

Bumper winner who readily surpassed previous hurdle exploits when landing an 8-runner Worcester novice (20f) in September. Task is to build on that effort now handicapping.

Form: 1/8-5P1

Malpas^t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115| C

11/4

Fell on 3 of his first 4 starts over hurdles but encouragingly his jumping looked an asset when running out a 5.5 length winner of a 17f novice here last month. Interesting once more now handicapping.

Form: 6/F3FF-1

Storm Lorenzo²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Menzies| OR: 111

11/2

Ex-Irish gelding who has shaped like a stayer in a couple of novice/maiden hurdles at around 2m this autumn. Longer trip promises to suit now handicapping and likely better to come.

Form: 088U-23

Dr Shirocco¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss S E Forster| OR: 100

28/1

No impact in 2 handicaps in Ireland at the start of the summer but marked drop back to 2m on yard debut at Kelso in October looked against him. This should reveal more.

Form: 34-0187

Fairlawn Flyer²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 95| BF

5/1

Improved when scoring in good style on handicap debut at Perth (3m) in September, well on top finish. Disappointed at Ffos Las next time but bounce back certainly not ruled out.

Form: 6-73218

Time Leader^h1²⁸³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Alain Cawley| T: T Reed| OR: 94WS

28/1

Well held in a maiden hurdle in Ireland. Won a point thereafter and minor promise on first of 2 starts for Donald McCain last winter. Market best guide handicapping for new yard on back of a wind op.

Form: 3221/30-

Forecasts

Captain Biggles (6/4), Malpas (11/4), Fairlawn Flyer (5/1), Storm Lorenzo (11/2), Father John (11/1), Time Leader (28/1), Dr Shirocco (28/1)

Having failed to complete on 3 of his 4 previous starts over hurdles, MALPAS put it all together and actually impressed with his jumping when readily landing a 17f novice here last month and he may well be up to building on that now handicapping back up in trip. Captain Biggles, for the in-form Olly Murphy yard, and Storm Lorenzo can emerge as the chief threats.