Gainford Group Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 5m 5.5s

Git Maker³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Kevin Brogan⁽³⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 124| BF

2/5

Off mark at fourth attempt in Irish points and has made a promising start under Rules, winning Chepstow maiden before defying penalty at Carlisle. Not disgraced up in trip on handicap debut at Sandown (form working out) and boasts strong claims back in novice company.

Form: 23-1114

Geordies Dream⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Miss P Robson

6/1

No fluke about his 28/1 Kelso bumper success back in April and enhanced his form when runner-up under a penalty at Ayr on return. Satisfactory start over hurdles when third over 2m here in December, but went backwards at Ayr last time.

Form: 1-230

Kidman¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: S Waugh| OR: 104

12/1

Twice-raced maiden who again ran to fair level when third of 5 in novice hurdle at Kelso (16.2f, good to soft) 14 days ago, unsuited by drop in trip. Back up in distance and needs considering.

Form: 33

Shighness³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 101

9/1

Bumper winner who has got better with each run over hurdles, opening her account in 10-runner maiden at Wetherby (21.2f, heavy) 33 days ago, staying on to lead near finish. That was a weak affair, but she may do better still.

Form: 56-1361

Teescomponentsfly¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Boanas

150/1

Fair Flat winner for David Barron but was well held sent hurdling at Wetherby 18 days ago.

Form: 9

That Ships Sailed^h,t²⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: J Bedi| OR: 75WS

200/1

Behind all 3 starts in bumpers and just poor form at best over hurdles. Has a breathing op since last seen 9 months ago.

Form: 994-280

Whelans Bridge³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin

11/1

£32,000 buy after winning the second of his 2 starts in Irish points last spring. Shaped much better than the distance beaten suggests on last month's hurdling debut over C&D, and will improve.

Form: 31-5

Forecasts

Git Maker (2/5), Geordies Dream (6/1), Shighness (9/1), Whelans Bridge (11/1), Kidman (12/1), Teescomponentsfly (150/1), That Ships Sailed (200/1)

GIT MAKER wasn't disgraced on his first try at this trip on his handicap debut at Sandown last month, and with that form working out well, he looks up to defying a double penalty back in a novice. Whelans Bridge would have finished third but for a serious late error on his C&D hurdling debut and seems sure to improve, while Kidman will be suited by a return to further and is another to consider.