Cazoo Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 18:07 | Winning time: 3m 48.20s

Nibras Gold^t⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 111| CD

4/1

Won a brace of staying handicaps on the level last summer and has taken well to hurdling, making it second time lucky in C&D maiden in June. More to come and looks sure to go well.

Form: 21

First Soldier⁶⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 110

16/1

Fair maiden hurdler but absent since finishing second at Fakenham in December 2020. Yard also runs Retrospect. Betting perhaps the best guide to what's expected after such a long absence.

Form: 077442/

Light N Strike³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 130

2/7

Useful chaser who won a couple of handicaps this spring. Much better than result in Summer Plate at Market Rasen in July and likely still in form. Should be up to winning a race like this over hurdles.

Form: 231-317

Retrospect^t⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| DWS

14/1

Fair stayer on the level. Better effort over hurdles in the spring for new yard when 6 lengths second in 2m Huntingdon maiden in May. Had wind surgery since then.

Form: 52

Illico De Moutiers⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: James Best| T: R Hobson

125/1

Not beaten far in a bumper in France last autumn but well held in C&D maiden on hurdle debut in June.

Form: 5-8

Universal Island³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Reed| T: N P Mulholland

100/1

Limited impact in the pointing field and remote fourth on 18.5f Newton Abbot hurdle debut 37 days ago. Shorter trip now not sure to play to her strengths. Likely best watched.

Form: 65U-4

Forecasts

Light N Strike (2/7), Nibras Gold (4/1), Retrospect (14/1), First Soldier (16/1), Universal Island (100/1), Illico De Moutiers (125/1)

Useful chaser LIGHT N STRIKE should have a race like this in him over hurdles and can make the most of the weight he receives from C&D scorer Nibras Gold. Retrospect is best of the rest.