Go North Supported By Racing Post Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 4m 54.26s

Garde Des Champs^t⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 110WS

5/1

Run to fair level first 2 starts over hurdles, including when second of 8 in novice over C&D, clear of rest. Disappointed on soft ground next time but worth another chance now handicapping after wind op.

Form: 47-4324

City Derby^p1,t1⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 107

7/2

Scored at Perth (2m, heavy) last spring. Shaped encouragingly after 6 months off when fourth of 18 in deep 2m handicap at Cheltenham but hasn't built on that since. Cheekpieces/tongue tie go on now.

Form: 4-14877

Brandy Mcqueen¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Ryan Mania| T: H Graham & G Rutherford| OR: 97

9/2

Failed to repeat his dubious Musselburgh effort when seventh of 8 in novice hurdle at Ayr and not much better on handicap hurdle debut at Newcastle.

Form: 8-47370

Hold Onto The Line^p,t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁷⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 95| CD

10/3

£30,000 buy after finishing second in Irish point. Modest form in trio of maiden/novice hurdles but big improvement when making a winning handicap bow over C&D last month, seeming to relish the switch to front-running tactics. Remains unexposed.

Form: 0-23751

Balranald^p⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs A C Hamilton| OR: 91

11/1

Maiden hurdler who struck at first attempt over fences at Sedgefield (19.3f) in November. Disappointed next 2 starts but offered something to work on back over hurdles there 6 weeks ago.

Form: 8916P4

Petite Rhapsody¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: P W Wadge⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 82

9/2

Maiden who shaped nicely behind an improving one at Ayr (19.5f) in October. Left with too much to do both starts since, including back from a break at Newcastle 17 days ago, so worth another chance. 2 lb out of the weights.

Form: 08F275

Keep The Faith^p1¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies| OR: 85

16/1

Fair maiden on the Flat (best effort at 1½m). Hasn't achieved much in 4 hurdle starts, including on debut for this stable. Headgear on. 7 lb out of the handicap.

Form: U740

Forecasts

Hold Onto The Line (10/3), City Derby (7/2), Petite Rhapsody (9/2), Brandy Mcqueen (9/2), Garde Des Champs (5/1), Balranald (11/1), Keep The Faith (16/1)

It could be worth chancing PETITE RHAPSODY, who again caught the eye back from a break at Newcastle 17 days ago and represents an in-form yard. Hold Onto The Line showed improved form when making a winning start to life in handicaps over C&D last month so looks the obvious threat, while Balranald shaped better than the bare result back over hurdles at Sedgefield 6 weeks ago.