Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Classic Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 5m 1.14s

Hillcrest²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly| OR: 139| CD

4/5

Big chasing type who completed a hat-trick over hurdles in 7-runner listed novice over C&D (soft) 4 weeks ago, asserting near finish after finding extra. Concedes weight all round but more to come.

Form: 21-111

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A Different Kind¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 132

10/1

Promising novice who landed both starts in bumpers and maintained his 100% record over hurdles when landing 4-runner event at Catterick (19.3f) 16 days ago. Remains open to further improvement.

Form: 2-11111

Balco Coastal³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130

7/2

Useful bumper winner who looks another potentially smart novice for his yard, showing a willing attitude to make it 2-2 over hurdles at Ludlow (15.8f) last month. Can progress again up in trip.

Form: 217-11

Harper's Brook⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 123| D

22/1

£70,000 point winner. Third in a bumper and created a good impression when winning on his 2½m Carlisle hurdle debut in October, but failed to progress up in grade at Sandown last time.

Form: 13-14

North Lodge⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King

7/1

Well related son of Presenting who produced a professional display to see off a pair of previous winners in a close finish at Aintree (17f) in December. Will stay 2½m and open to further progress.

Form: 1

Picanha⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Daniel Hiskett| T: R T Phillips| OR: 129

20/1

Point/bumper winner who confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut when landing a 21f maiden at Warwick in early December. More needed upped in grade here, but open to further improvement.

Form: 11/31

Forecasts

Hillcrest (4/5), Balco Coastal (7/2), North Lodge (7/1), A Different Kind (10/1), Picanha (20/1), Harper's Brook (22/1)

HILLCREST has to concede weight all round to some promising types, but there was a lot to like about the way he saw off the challenge of the favourite from the last over C&D last time and can maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles. Balco Coastal is another exciting novice hurdler for Nicky Henderson and is considered the main threat, ahead of A Different Kind.