Bet At racingtv.com Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:47 | Winning time: 5m 20.99s

Choosethenews²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford

6/4

Wide-margin winner of sole point and looked a useful prospect when making all in 21.5f Ayr novice hurdle on Rules debut just before Christmas, impressing with his fluent jumping. Another bold show looks assured.

Form: 11

Hitching Jacking³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 122| D

11/8

Much improved from his hurdling debut when winning 14-runner novice at Uttoxeter (2½m, soft) 23 days ago, kept up to work. Definitely more to come for a top yard which does so well here.

Form: 23-21

Bob Delaney^t1¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Alison Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: P Winks

200/1

Well held in a bumper and novice hurdle last month. Tongue tied first time. Big outsider.

Form: 8P

Coachman¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: O Signy

40/1

Bought for £140,000 after an Irish point run but well held in maiden/novice hurdles 14 months apart for new connections. Clearly still early days but he can only be watched this time.

Form: 31/0-9

Galudon⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: H Whittington| BF

7/2

Fairly useful form in bumpers. Has shown an aptitude for hurdling when fifth in maiden/novice events at Chepstow this season but he'll need more if he's to seriously trouble the 2 winners in this line-up.

Form: 42/43-55

Marty Time⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Ross Chapman| T: J Parkinson & S Smith

28/1

Only modest form in bumpers for Tom Lacey and midfield in a pair of course hurdles for new connections in recent months. Likely more one for handicaps after this.

Form: 47/4-78

Getaway Lily Bear^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

50/1

Found just one too good on sole start in points in December 2020 but has looked more one for handicaps since belatedly making it to the track for new connections.

Form: 2/58

Forecasts

Hitching Jacking (11/8), Choosethenews (6/4), Galudon (7/2), Marty Time (28/1), Coachman (40/1), Getaway Lily Bear (50/1), Bob Delaney (200/1)

Every chance this will develop into a straight fight between previous hurdle winners HITCHING JACKING and Choosethenews, with a narrow preference for the former whose top stable operates at a near 30% strike-rate here.