William Hill Bookmakers Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:13 | Winning time: 3m 56.96s

Cirque Royal^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr N McParlan⁽³⁾| T: Gerald Quinn| OR: 114| D

8/11

Useful Flat performer who matched previous best over hurdles on back of 5 months off when landing a Perth maiden (16.2f) 17 days ago, readily. Likely that won't prove his limit and possibilities again under a penalty.

Form: 2255-1

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Ted Hastings²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| D

6/4

Point scorer who showed plenty on first of 2 starts in bumpers and firmly back on track when running out a decisive winner of an Ayr maiden hurdle (2m) 26 days ago. Sound claims with more to come.

Form: 136-1

Foxhollow¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson

12/1

Westerner gelding who shaped encouragingly when second in a Doncaster novice hurdle (16.5f) sole start for Gavin Cromwell in January. May have needed yard debut effort at Perth behind Cirque Royal and claims of hitting the frame here.

Form: 2-5

My Macho Man^p,t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: M A Barnes| OR: 85

25/1

Flat winner who ran creditably when fourth of 12 in a Hexham novice (16.2f) 4 weeks ago. However, fact remains he's had plenty of chances already in this sphere and is vulnerable to less exposed sorts. Cheekpieces added.

Form: 25585-4

Zihuatanejo⁸²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: R P McLernon| T: Miss S E Forster

100/1

Lightly-raced winner in points who has been absent since going amiss in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle during early 2020. He's probably best watched making this belated return for new yard now.

Form: 210/

Ivynator¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: S Mulqueen| T: Mrs J C McGregor| OR: 93

200/1

Fairly useful Flat performer who showed a bit on first of 2 starts over hurdles late last year. Not disgraced on Flat thereafter but never a factor back over hurdles for new yard at Perth (16.2f) 17 days ago. Passed over here.

Form: 44-P

Non-Runners

Pasture Beach²²

Weight: 10-8| Age: 5

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: D R Fox

Forecasts

Cirque Royal (8/11), Ted Hastings (6/4), Foxhollow (12/1), Pasture Beach (20/1), My Macho Man (25/1), Zihuatanejo (100/1), Ivynator (200/1)

TED HASTINGS quickly dispelled whatever had ailed him in a Fairyhouse bumper earlier this year when running out a convincing winner of an Ayr maiden hurdle 26 days ago, and with the prospect of more to come, he's fancied to maintain his 100% record in this sphere again partnered by Sean Bowen. That said, Cirque Royal impressed when scoring over hurdles himself recently and rates a big threat.