Virgin Bet Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 5m 10.10s

Twinjets³³

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Harry Cobden| T: M F Harris| OR: 121

4/7

Smart dual winner in bumpers who left his hurdling debut form behind when cosily landing a Leicester maiden in a good time in December. Followed up in good style at Plumpton (20.5f) and is open to further improvement on handicap debut. Strong claims.

Form: 11-1611

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I Shut That D'or^h²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard| OR: 120

10/1

Fair in bumpers and showed much-improved form to get off the mark in 10-runner novice at Wincanton (21.4f) 4 weeks ago, suited by longer trip. Into handicaps now and he's respected.

Form: 24-751

Heaven Smart⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 114

16/1

Related to bumper winner/smart hurdler Cracking Smart. Runner-up twice in points and ran his best race over hurdles when just denied in a Lingfield maiden (heavy) 45 days ago. Heads into handicap company now and probably needs to find a bit more improvement.

Form: 22F-292

Hot Rod Lincoln^t1⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Nick Scholfield| T: H Fry| OR: 110

7/1

Successful on sole outing in Irish points and showed plenty to work on when fourth of 14 in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow (19.4f) on Rules debut. There's nothing wrong with that form but he's disappointed both starts since. Tongue strap on for handicap bow and needs to get back on track in a big way.

Form: 1-45P

Twin Power^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 107

9/2

Fairly useful form when runner-up on first of 2 starts in bumpers and left an underwhelming hurdling debut behind (tongue tied) when 9 lengths second of 7 to Twinjets in a Plumpton novice (20.5f, soft) 33 days ago. Makes an early switch to handicaps and further improvement likely.

Form: 23-22

Jen's Georgie^t1⁷²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 99

40/1

Took her form up a notch when second in 2m6f maiden hurdle at Wetherby in March. However, was let down by her jumping when pulled up on handicap debut/return at Kelso in November. Tongue strap now applied.

Form: 38/272-P

Forecasts

Twinjets (4/7), Twin Power (9/2), Hot Rod Lincoln (7/1), I Shut That D'or (10/1), Heaven Smart (16/1), Jen's Georgie (40/1)

It's hard to get away from TWINJETS, whose Leicester form was franked in a big way by Cuthbert Dibble at Leicester earlier in the week, so an opening BHA mark of 121 could prove very lenient. I Shut That d'Or and Twin Power head the opposition.