Scottish Racing Academy Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 4m 49.8s

Mortlach^p,t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Hogan⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 124| CD

10/11

Useful form when completing a four-timer over fences at Aintree in June and added to tally in another small-field contest at Newton Abbot. Made the most of a good opportunity back hurdling over C&D last month and this looks another good opening.

Form: 11P311

Hackberry^t1⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs A Duffield

33/1

Fair bumper winner and similar form on the Flat for Brian Ellison. Makes hurdles debut. Tongue strap on for 1st time.

Form: 140/

Magic Mike^h¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: Paul Robson

200/1

Made frame second start in points and Irish bumper efforts for John Halley weren't devoid of promise but offered little sent hurdling for new yard at Kelso/Perth.

Form: 94-6568

Mrindependant^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Mulqueen| T: M A Barnes

200/1

Well beaten in a brace of bumpers and fared no better tried hurdling.

Form: 70-67

Serious Operator¹⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

5/2

Well held in a couple of bumpers in Ireland but a dual point winner. Sold from Daniel G. Murphy £37,000 in May. One to note on hurdles debut.

Form: 61461-

Tough Out¹⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Mrs J Stephen| OR: 108

15/2

Placed in a point and in novice hurdles this year. Ran badly on handicap debut here in April, however, so needs to bounce back.

Form: 5/P333P-

Whelans Bridge¹⁷⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin

5/1

£32,000 buy after winning the second of his 2 starts in Irish points and confirmed debut promise when second in novice hurdle at Newcastle in April. Remains with potential and respected on these terms.

Form: 31/52-

Forecasts

Mortlach (10/11), Serious Operator (5/2), Whelans Bridge (5/1), Tough Out (15/2), Hackberry (33/1), Mrindependant (200/1), Magic Mike (200/1)

MORTLACH made the most of a good opportunity back hurdling in a similar event over C&D last month and has the scope to defy a double penalty given his useful form over fences. Irish-point-winner Whelans Bridge made a promising start in novice hurdles in the spring and is the obvious threat.