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

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 5m 3.03s

General Officer³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

13/8

Winning pointer at fourth attempt who built on a promising third in a Carlisle bumper when running out a wide-margin winner on his Musselburgh hurdling debut. Only workmanlike in following up under a penalty there last time but remains potentially useful. Up in trip.

Form: 431-311

Bingoo⁵⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt

9/2

Progressive form in bumpers, opening his account at the third attempt at Hexham in April. Followed up in cosy fashion on hurdling debut there (16.2f, heavy) 7 months later and is open to improvement.

Form: 321-1

Allibaba¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby

150/1

Fair form when placed both starts in bumpers but has been safely held both starts over hurdles, including on first outing since leaving W. P. Mullins (for £28,000) at Wetherby 16 days ago. Will be of more interest in handicaps after this.

Form: 2368

Cerendipity¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Willmott⁽³⁾| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

11/1

Sageburg gelding from good jumping family. Finished mid-field in a pair of bumpers towards the back end of 2021 and showed some promise sent hurdling on the back of a breathing operation/13 months off when fifth at Haydock (15.8f) 13 days ago. Upped in trip and entitled to progress.

Form: 45-5

Copshill Lad^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: M F Harris

5/4

Kingston Hill gelding. Runner-up sole outing in Irish point and went one better when readily winning a Stratford bumper in May. Tongue tied and offered plenty to work on starting out over hurdles when third at Exeter (18.5f, heavy) 11 days ago. Entitled to do better.

Form: 2-13

Shir I Dont Know²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: I Jardine

50/1

Modest in bumpers and just similar form over hurdles, though did catch the eye under a considerate ride at Ayr (2m) last time. Type to do better in handicaps.

Form: 66634

Forecasts

Copshill Lad (5/4), General Officer (13/8), Bingoo (9/2), Cerendipity (11/1), Shir I Dont Know (50/1), Allibaba (150/1)

GENERAL OFFICE has made a promising start over hurdles and, with even better to come now stepping up in trip, he is selected to defy a double penalty. Copshill Lad offered plenty to work on starting out over hurdles at Exeter recently and rates the main threat ahead of Hexham-scorer Bingoo.