Cazoo Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:22 | Winning time: 5m 53.50s

Mercutio Rock²⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 107

17/2

Made a promising start over hurdles (caught eye on second start) but couldn't transfer that sent handicapping after 11 months off at Warwick in November. Still unexposed and worth a market check on return now significantly upped in trip.

Form: 424/7-

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Landen Calling^b,t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien| OR: 104| CD

15/8

First-time blinkers seemingly worked the oracle as he showed much improved form to get off the mark over C&D last month, the result never looking in much doubt once he was sent on before the straight. 7 lb rise to contend with but fancied to be bang there once again.

Form: 0/5557-1

Hurricane Mitch^t⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: K Brogan| T: H Fry| OR: 95

4/1

Promise in bumpers/maiden hurdles but not kicked on in handicaps in the winter, going with little fluency when finishing down the field at Taunton 3 months ago. Mark has eased further more but tough to support on that evidence.

Form: 222/7P9-

You Name Him^p,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: R Menzies| OR: 93

6/4

Modest handicap hurdler who had a bit up his sleeve when finally taking advantage of a falling mark to open his account at Ludlow 3 weeks ago. Has left Tom Lacey since and should remain competitive on the back of a 5 lb rise.

Form: 5978-31

Mauritian Bolt²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Callum Bewley| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 88

28/1

Not really kicked on over hurdles, making little impact when fifth in a maiden at Hexham earlier this month. Handicapper given him a chance but he's looked very limited on all bar the odd occasion so percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 3/U604-5

Forecasts

You Name Him (6/4), Landen Calling (15/8), Hurricane Mitch (4/1), Mercutio Rock (17/2), Mauritian Bolt (28/1)

This could develop into a match between last-time-out scorers LANDEN CALLING and You Name Him, with preference for the former. First-time blinkers were seemingly the catalyst when bolting up over C&D last month and, on the back of a 7 lb rise, Fergal O'Brien's charge can double his career tally. The aforementioned You Name Him looks the obvious threat on first start for his new yard.