Wye Valley Brewery Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 34.50s

Picanha³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 122| D

10/11

Point/bumper winner who confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut when landing a 21f maiden at Warwick in early December. Found out in better company at Cheltenham and this more suitable.

Form: 11/314

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Come On Gruff⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 112

11/2

Fair bumper winner who built on hurdles debut promise when landing a 14-runner Uttoxeter novice (2½m). Mid-field on handicap debut at Doncaster and now upped in trip.

Form: 14-316

Tigerten²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 112| D

8/1

Fairly useful/reliable stayer on the Flat who made second hurdles start a winning one at Kempton 3 weeks ago. Opening mark no gift but he seems sure to progress.

Form: 41

To Be Sure³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 107

4/1

Ffos Las winner in November and cast aside a couple of lesser efforts when runner-up at Ffos Las a month ago. Nudged up 2 lb and more exposed than some.

Form: F12742

Technological^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Kevin Jones| T: M F Harris| OR: 107

9/1

Useful at best on the Flat up to 2m and promising return from 17 months off when third in a 2m maiden in January. Cheekpieces back on and he could be well treated.

Form: 3-3

Non-Runners

Balkeo²⁶

Weight: 11-10| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Picanha (10/11), Balkeo (3/1), To Be Sure (4/1), Come On Gruff (11/2), Tigerten (8/1), Technological (9/1)

PICANHA is unexposed for an 8-y-o and allotted a very fair opening mark, he could be the answer. Technological's return to action at Plumpton was promising, while Balkeo also demands consideration in a strong race for the field size.