British EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:41 | Winning time: 4m 2.62s

Attacca³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

5/1

€58,000 Mahler half-brother to fairly useful hurdler/useful chaser Hear No Evil and bumper winner/fair hurdler Shush. Displayed plenty of ability when runner-up in a Warwick bumper in March and he justified strong support on hurdles debut last month. Can leave bare form of that well behind.

Form: 2-1

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Kiki Badger²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: M J M O'Sullivan| T: A McCann

11/1

Took 6 goes to get off the mark in bumpers but made smooth transition to hurdling at Limerick in October. Found out in better company at Navan and this isn't an easy race, either.

Form: 4S-8114

Timeforatune^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 126| BF| C| D

11/2

Smart bumper performer who left hurdles debut effort well behind when making all in 15-runner Exeter novice despite repeatedly wandering/hanging approaching his obstacles. Fitted with cheekpieces and while he failed to land the odds at Taunton a fortnight ago, it wasn't a bad effort.

Form: 118-412

Commander Of Ten²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: M Scudamore

100/1

Unplaced in a couple of bumpers last winter but shaped better sent hurdling on the back of a breathing operation when third here in October. Failed to repeat that effort faced with testing conditions at Lingfield subsequently and this a tough race to bounce back in. Engaged 12.42 Newcastle Thursday.

Form: 64-38

Gentle Slopes²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: M F Harris| C| D

13/8

£90,000 purchase on back of point win in March and talented enough to win 2 of his 3 starts in bumpers this autumn, latterly in listed company at this venue. Promises to make up into a useful novice hurdler.

Form: P/1-151

Master Chewy²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

2/1

Scopey sort who cost plenty and he made a promising start over hurdles when third at Chepstow in October. In control when falling late at Ascot 3 weeks ago and if he's over that, he looks the one to beat.

Form: 324-3F

Forecasts

Gentle Slopes (13/8), Master Chewy (2/1), Attacca (5/1), Timeforatune (11/2), Kiki Badger (11/1), Commander Of Ten (100/1)

MASTER CHEWY had the race at his mercy when getting the last wrong at Ascot 3 weeks ago and this expensive point recruit can gain compensation. Timeforatune still looks a work-in-progress but he's certainly in the right hands, with Attacca expected to leave the bare form of his Kempton win behind.