Racing TV Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:40 | Winning time: 3m 52.85s

General Officer³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| CD

1/5

Off mark in Irish points at fourth attempt in February and, having shaped well when third on Rules debut in a Carlisle bumper, he looked the part when making all for a wide-margin hurdles debut success over C&D (soft) last month. Obvious claims.

Form: 5431-31

Leading Force¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson

25/1

£20,000 buy from the Irish pointing field (won one of his 8 starts in that sphere) and Rules debut effort in a 2m Hexham novice wasn't completely devoid of encouragement. Still, vast improvement will be needed if he's to play a leading role.

Form: P5132-5

Rhodia⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Sarah Hollinshead

16/1

Runner-up twice from 4 starts in bumpers, including on second start for this yard at Bangor in September. Positive jockey booking for this hurdles debut but others hold more pressing claims.

Form: 20-62

Scottish Wind²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

9/1

Promise in bumpers and on the Flat, and he put in good late work without being knocked about when fourth on debut in this sphere at Newcastle (16.2f, good) last month. That experience won't be wasted on him and should make his presence felt.

Form: 29-4

Lenebane⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies

11/1

Displayed a fair level of ability in Irish maiden hurdles for Ross O'Sullivan, most recently finding just one too good in a 12-runner event at Wexford (2m, good to soft). Should pick up a race at some point for new yard but she arguably lacks the potential of some of these.

Form: 0552

Non-Runners

Legendary Day¹³

Weight: 11-7| Age: 4

T: A Keatley J: Non Runner

Bix Beiderbecke³⁰

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

General Officer (1/5), Legendary Day (4/1), Scottish Wind (9/1), Lenebane (11/1), Bix Beiderbecke (12/1), Rhodia (16/1), Leading Force (25/1)

GENERAL OFFICER created a good impression when making every post a winning one on debut in this sphere over C&D and, with the promise of better to come, he is taken to follow up in this contest before going on to better things. Scottish Wind shaped well on his hurdles bow at Newcastle and should have a part to play in the finish, too.