Virgin Bet Daily Money Back Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 2.1s

Spirit Of Regulus⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| D

11/8

Walk In The Park gelding who displayed ability in a Bangor bumper last April and overcame inexperience to make a winning hurdles debut at Sedgefield. Well held in the race Hullnback won at Haydock (15.6f) last time and faces another struggle under a penalty.

Form: 4-17

Gift Of Raaj²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: K Brogan| T: R Fell & S Murray| C

2/1

Fair handicapper on Flat who showed aptitude for hurdling at the first attempt despite coming to it late in his career when third in Wetherby maiden (16f, soft) last month. Looks the main threat to the favourite.

Form: 3

Rocket Robbo³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish

28/1

Poor in bumpers and has shown little in a pair of novice hurdles. Easily opposed.

Form: 838-00

Summergrounds³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards

9/4

Showed fair form when reaching the frame all 3 starts in bumpers and having had a breathing op, was given a considerate introduction to hurdling after 10 months off when well held over C&D last month. Better anticipated with that under his belt.

Form: 244-6

Non-Runners

Hullnback⁷¹

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: P J Brennan

Forecasts

Hullnback (2/9), Spirit Of Regulus (11/8), Gift Of Raaj (2/1), Summergrounds (9/4), Rocket Robbo (28/1)

It's tough to look beyond HULLNBACK, who confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut when scoring at Haydock just over 10 weeks ago, and with further improvement on the cards, he's strongly fancied to follow up. Gift of Raaj showed aptitude for hurdling at the first attempt when third at Wetherby last month so he can chase home the selection ahead of Summergrounds.