13:32 Kelso

Saturday 5 March 2022

All13:0013:3214:0514:4015:1515:4316:25

bet365 Premier Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:32 | Winning time: 4m 30.32s

North Lodge³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 137

5/2

Son of Presenting who produced a professional display to make a winning start at Aintree in December. Built on that when landing Grade 2 at Cheltenham 5 weeks ago and he's likely to progress further.

Form: 11

Bold Endeavour⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: David Noonan| T: L Morgan| OR: 133

5/1

Successful on sole outing in points and won both a Sedgefield bumper/maiden hurdle. Took form up a notch to maintain unbeaten record at Wetherby since but will need another step forward to feature.

Form: 1-111

Datsalrightgino⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 130| D

25/1

Fairly useful and consistent in bumpers last season and won his first 2 starts over timber (novices at Fontwell and Cheltenham). Ran no sort of race in Tolworth at Sandown so must bounce back.

Form: 222-11P

Donny Boy⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| C

18/1

Won sole start in Irish points and has added bumper and maiden hurdle successes for his new yard in recent months. Too keen when sixth behind Jonbon 6 weeks ago so others make more appeal.

Form: 1-116

Honneur D'Ajonc³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Chester Williams| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 129

18/1

Didn't need to improve to defy his penalties to rack up a fourth win from his last 6 starts at Wincanton last month. Straightforward as he is consistent, but likely to come up short in this company.

Form: 121211

It's Good To Laugh³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 132

16/1

Useful Flat handicapper who made it 3-4 over hurdles in facile style up in trip, despite another sloppy round of jumping, at Catterick just over 5 weeks ago. Will need to jump better to get involved.

Form: 1121

Nells Son⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: N G Richards| OR: 126| C

16/1

Useful bumper scorer who made a winning start over hurdles at this track in October. Better form when second at Ayr since but was let down by jumping when fourth in Grade 2 at Haydock 6 weeks ago.

Form: 2/11-124

Richmond Lake⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 132

5/2

Useful novice who made most of a good opportunity to land hurdle win number 2 at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. Bettered that form since, just 3 lengths behind Jonbon at Haydock 6 weeks ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 541312

Sholokjack³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 128

6/1

Won sole start in Irish points and took record to 2-2 over hurdles with more in hand than the winning margin suggested at Wetherby last time. Shortlisted with further improvement on the cards.

Form: 1-11

Forecasts

North Lodge (5/2), Richmond Lake (5/2), Bold Endeavour (5/1), Sholokjack (6/1), Nells Son (16/1), It's Good To Laugh (16/1), Honneur D'Ajonc (18/1), Donny Boy (18/1), Datsalrightgino (25/1)

NORTH LODGE built on debut promise to remain unbeaten at Cheltenham 5 weeks ago, and with further improvement on the cards, Alan King's charge can take his record to 3-3. Richmond Lake got within 3 lengths of Jonbon at Haydock 5 weeks ago so he's fancied to give the selection most to think about, with the unbeaten Sholokjack completing the shortlist.