Lexus Stoke Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:08 | Winning time: 5m 52.90s

Fountains Chief^t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 117

13/8

Bumper winner who showed fairly useful form when making a winning start over hurdles at Fontwell (21.8f). Had no trouble completing a simple task at Worcester subsequently and looks the one to beat under a double penalty.

Form: FF22-11

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Armchair Farmer^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Liam Harrison⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien

11/4

Didn't achieve much when sixth in 2 bumpers last year (trained in Ireland on debut) but showed more sent hurdling tried in a tongue strap following a breathing operation when third in 5-runner maiden at Stratford (22f) 18 days ago. May do better still.

Form: 65/66-3

Godiva's Bay¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Chris Ward⁽⁵⁾| T: Tracey Leeson

200/1

Maiden pointer who has shown no ability in 3 starts over hurdles, latest after 5 months off.

Form: 63PP/P-4

Bluberry High^p1,t1²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Daire Davis⁽¹⁰⁾| T: O Murphy

17/2

Placed both starts in bumpers prior to disappointing on Warwick hurdles debut in November 2019. Left Warren Greatrex for only £8,500 but got off the mark at the third attempt in points recently, so she's worth a look back under Rules for a new yard.

Form: 320/32-1

Toughasoldboots¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

7/4

Placed on the second of 2 outings in points and made a successful hurdles debut at Huntingdon (19.6f) 10 days ago, albeit in a race that fell apart. Her ability and potential not easy to gauge as a result.

Form: 73-1

Forecasts

Fountains Chief (13/8), Toughasoldboots (7/4), Armchair Farmer (11/4), Bluberry High (17/2), Godiva's Bay (200/1)

FOUNTAINS CHIEF has taken well to hurdling and looks capable of defying a double penalty. Toughasoldboots made a successful debut over hurdles in a race that fell apart at Huntingdon recently, so remains something of an unknown quantity.