Living North Christmas Fair Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:57 | Winning time: 5m 40.28s

Imperial Merlin²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Billy Garritty| T: J & S Quinn

2/5

Bumper winner in the spring and made a successful start to his hurdling career at Catterick (19f, good to soft) last month. More to come and the one to beat.

Form: 21-1

Supreme Gift²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: R Patrick| T: H D Daly

5/2

Irish point winner. Placed in bumpers last season and returned to win a Uttoxeter maiden hurdle in November. Had a bit in hand and should have more to offer.

Form: 12263-1

Brian's Jet¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: B Ellison

80/1

No better than modest form when placed on the second of 2 outings in bumpers and well-held sixth on his 2m course hurdle debut 12 days ago. This significantly longer trip needs to spark plenty of improvement.

Form: 536

Macavity²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: Jedd O'Keeffe

12/1

Won last 2 of 3 starts in points and also landed an Aintree bumper in May. Better effort in 19f Wetherby novice hurdles for this yard when third of 14 last month.

Form: 311-193

Non-Runners

I'm Dougal Rocks¹⁷²

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: Micky Hammond J: C O'Farrell

Forecasts

Imperial Merlin (2/5), Supreme Gift (5/2), Macavity (12/1), I'm Dougal Rocks (16/1), Brian's Jet (80/1)

This will likely develop into a straight fight between previous winners IMPERIAL MERLIN and Supreme Gift, with a slight preference for the former who had a lot to spare at Catterick.