Paddy Power Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 4m 3.52s

Rock Legend¹²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 107| D

9/4

Landed the odds on the back of a wind op at Newcastle in March. Has underperformed since but this doesn't look a strong novice and fitness no concern back from 121 days off given the yard he represents.

Form: 3215-25

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Rhubarb Bikini³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N F Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: M J Attwater

25/1

Fair handicapper on Flat, stays 1¼m, creditable fourth last time. Didn't always look an easy ride on the level so no banker to take to hurdling.

Form:

Matata^h1²⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

11/8

€7,500 3-y-o, £75,000 4-y-o. Half-brother to 5 winners, including Italian jumps winner Hoi Hoi, dam ran once on Flat. Successful sole outing in Irish points in February and far from overfaced for this Rules debut.

Form: 1-

Shiyrvann¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds

33/1

Three-time winner on the Flat in France but low-key start to hurdles career in recent weeks.

Form: 77

Theonlywayiswessex¹⁸⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: A King

11/1

Fair form on Flat for this yard. Hurdles efforts 6 months apart not devoid of promise but he could be one for handicaps after this reappearance.

Form: 45-

East End Girl²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: L Wadham

3/1

Fairly useful on Flat, adding to tally at Newcastle in August (12.5f). Stamina assured so worth a second look now tackling obstacles (half-sister to fair hurdler Thames Knight).

Form:

Ultimate Fame^t⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Max Kendrick| T: J Coulson| OR: 93| D

80/1

Bumper winner but it didn't really click over hurdles for Fergal O'Brien despite a brace of runner-up efforts, ending time for that yard with a couple of tame runs.

Form: P22763

Forecasts

Matata (11/8), Rock Legend (9/4), East End Girl (3/1), Theonlywayiswessex (11/1), Rhubarb Bikini (25/1), Shiyrvann (33/1), Ultimate Fame (80/1)

Not a strong novice so MATATA, a £75,000 purchase from the pointing field after victory in February, could easily be up to the job on hurdles debut for a successful yard. Rock Legend has his limitations but won't lack for fitness on his return, with East End Girl another to consider from the Flat.