British Stallion Studs EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 5m 8.12s

Bents Hollow⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 109

10/3

Successful on second of 2 starts between the flags in Ireland and readily landed the odds on Rules debut in a 3-runner novice hurdle at Musselburgh (15.6f, soft) in November. Better form in defeat under a penalty at Catterick but more is needed here against Poetic Music.

Form: 5112

Ebonello⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| BF

5/1

Won Sedgefield bumper on return before a making successful transition to hurdling in 10-runner novice at Wincanton. However, she came unstuck at Plumpton last time and again looks vulnerable under her penalty.

Form: 32-117

Poetic Music⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 118

1/2

Fairly useful in bumpers last season and made perfect start over hurdles at Ludlow in November. Cracking efforts in defeat since and while this trip isn't certain to suit, she's still very much the one to beat.

Form: 116-132

Ellistrin Star³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans

200/1

Behind in pair of bumpers last spring and same story sent hurdling in December.

Form: 09-6

Flora Paget³¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Chris Ward⁽³⁾| T: Sarah Hollinshead

125/1

Well held in bumpers last season.

Form: 69-

Miss Solitaire⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish

125/1

Little sign of ability.

Form: 0606

Torosay¹⁰⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

28/1

Getaway filly. Dam (h88), winning pointer/placed over hurdles, half-sister to fairly useful chaser (stays 3¼m) Up Helly Aa King. Shaped like a stayer in her bumper and now up in trip for hurdles debut.

Form: 6

Forecasts

Poetic Music (1/2), Bents Hollow (10/3), Ebonello (5/1), Torosay (28/1), Miss Solitaire (125/1), Flora Paget (125/1), Ellistrin Star (200/1)

This step up in trip isn't an obvious move for the smooth-travelling POETIC MUSIC but she brings easily the best form on offer to the table and is still likely to outclass these. Ebonello and Bents Hollow have also won over hurdles and can do battle for minor honours.