Racing Partnership Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:31 | Winning time: 3m 53.7s

Diligent^h⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Kieren Buckley⁽⁵⁾| T: N J Hawke| OR: 125| C| D

5/2

Useful chaser who added to his already impressive strike rate when easy winner of 5-runner novice hurdle at Taunton (16.5f, good to soft) 9 days ago. Double penalty makes life tougher, though.

Form: 213121

Knappers Hill³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 134| BF| D

4/9

3-3 in bumpers, including Grade 2, and stretched unbeaten record to 5 with novice hurdle wins in autumn. Solid efforts in much stronger events at Ascot and Newbury prior to folding tamely in EBF Final at Sandown. Sets the standard and can bounce back.

Form: 1-11360

Geni De La Cour⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Best| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 130

14/1

Off the mark over hurdles at the fourth attempt in 17-runner maiden at Clonmel (18.7f, heavy) 44 days ago. That form has been franked by the fourth and fifth winning their next starts, and he may do better still for his new yard (has left Emmet Mullins).

Form: 413FF1

Cadeau D'Or^h1¹⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe

25/1

Fair 1f Flat winner for Andrew Balding but off since unseating rider 3f out in handicap at Yarmouth in October. Goes hurdling now for yard amongst the winners but faces a stiff task against some above average types. Hooded.

Form:

Diamond Jack¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater

250/1

Well held completed start in bumpers and showed nothing sent hurdling at Chepstow (16f, good) 14 days ago.

Form: R8U

Non-Runners

Alkhattaaf¹⁷

Weight: 10-6| Age: 4

T: C J Down J: James Davies

Forecasts

Knappers Hill (4/9), Diligent (5/2), Geni De La Cour (14/1), Cadeau D'Or (25/1), Alkhattaaf (66/1), Diamond Jack (250/1)

KNAPPERS HILL folded tamely for whatever reason in the EBF final at Sandown last time, but his previous form is strong, and this looks an excellent opportunity to resume winning ways. Clonmel-scorer Geni de La Cour may have more to offer for his new yard and is feared most ahead of the doubly-penalised Diligent.