Christmas Meeting At leicesterraces 28th December Book Now Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 5m 20.3s

Marble Sands²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 124| D

4/11

Progressive hurdler who resumed with an easy success in 15-runner novice at Hereford (19.7f) 27 days ago. Has more to offer. Major player.

Form: 2/2322-1

Pimlico Point^t²⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: R Patrick| T: Kerry Lee

11/2

Cost £160,000 after winning his sole start in Irish points last May and made a winning debut in this sphere in 19.4f novice at Chepstow 8 months ago. Must enter calculations on his return.

Form: 121-

Blackwell Bay¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: L Morgan

150/1

Runner-up sole start in points but has made a very low-key start to Rules career, last of 16 in 2m novice hurdle at Hereford on yard debut 19 days ago.

Form: 2/73-0

Storminhome²³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling

5/1

£70,000 5-y-o, Frammassone gelding. Half-brother to bumper winner Storm of Intrigue. Dam unraced half-sister to fairly useful hurdler/useful chaser (stayed 3¼m) Chill Factor. Won second start in Irish points in April so he's a much respected newcomer for in-form yard.

Form: 51-

Non-Runners

Tara Line¹³

Weight: 10-13| Age: 5

T: S Hosie J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Marble Sands (4/11), Storminhome (5/1), Pimlico Point (11/2), Tara Line (13/2), Blackwell Bay (150/1)

MARBLE SANDS returned in fine style when an impressive winner at Hereford last month and looks the way to go here. Pimlico Point has an absence to overcome but still rates a big threat if building on his Chepstow success while Ben Pauling's point-winner Storminhome can't be discounted either on his hurdling debut.