Howden Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 4m 4.80s

I Like To Move It³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138| D

10/1

Useful dual bumper winner and unbeaten in 3 starts over hurdles, confirming the very positive impression he created at Worcester with a pair of Cheltenham victories in recent weeks. More needed here.

Form: 129-111

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Colonel Mustard⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C J Orr| T: L Fowler| OR: 136| D

8/1

Useful hurdler who finished second in the Champion Novices' Hurdle at Punchestown in April and didn't need to reproduce that to get off the mark in maiden at Galway on return. Worth his place in this.

Form: 12432-1

Jonbon²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: N J Henderson| D

1/1

Bother to top-class hurdler/chaser Douvan who cost £540,000 following a point win. Won sole start in bumpers and looked something special when winning on hurdling debut. Open to significant progress.

Form: 11-1

Knappers Hill⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| CD

11/4

Winner of all 3 starts in bumpers last term, including an Aintree Grade 2. Landed the odds on return/hurdles debut at Chepstow and maintained unbeaten record at Wincanton 6 weeks ago. Much respected.

Form: 111-11

Elle Est Belle²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 132| D

6/1

Very useful dual bumper winner who was much improved from her hurdling debut when scoring impressively in a listed event at Newbury 20 days ago. Expected to be in the mix against the boys.

Form: 1132-31

Forecasts

Jonbon (1/1), Knappers Hill (11/4), Elle Est Belle (6/1), Colonel Mustard (8/1), I Like To Move It (10/1)

Nicky Henderson has enjoyed plenty of success in this event in recent years so Supreme-favourite JONBON gets the verdict to enhance that record further having looked something out of the ordinary at Newbury 3 weeks ago. He faces his toughest assignment of his career so far, with the unbeaten Knappers Hill expected to give him plenty to think about, ahead of Dan Skelton's Elle Est Belle.