Vickers.Bet EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 5m 7.3s

Royale Dance⁵¹

30/100

Promising type. Won 2m Hexham novice on hurdle debut/reappearance in November and bettered that form when second under a penalty at Ludlow (21f) the following month. Subsequently underwent wind surgery. Likely capable of better again for top stable.

Form: 12-12

Ah Whisht⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds

10/3

Sister to fairly useful hurdler/useful chaser Hear No Evil (19f-3m winner) and half-sister to bumper winner/fair hurdler Shush. Bought for £145,000 after winning her sole Irish point in November. Interesting runner on Rules debut.

Form: 1

Houston Calling²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Lee Edwards| T: Mrs M Rowley

33/1

Well bred but didn't offer enough in her 2 bumpers to suggest she's likely to play a prominent role on this hurdle debut.

Form: 76

Picnic In The Park³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry

14/1

In good hands but she beat only one home on her bumper debut 5 weeks ago. Can only be watched after that.

Form: 0

Non-Runners

Hidden Beauty²

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: Non Runner

Bombay Sapphire⁶⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: N J Henderson J: Max Kendrick

Gilwen Rosie⁴⁵

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: Evan Williams J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Royale Dance (30/100), Hidden Beauty (11/8), Bombay Sapphire (7/4), Ah Whisht (10/3), Picnic In The Park (14/1), Houston Calling (33/1), Gilwen Rosie (33/1)

This longer trip should suit BOMBAY SAPPHIRE who is selected to take advantage of the weight she receives from Dan Skelton's Royale Dance. Expensive Irish point recruit Ah Whisht is another who could have a say, while Hidden Beauty would be a major player if showing up after Taunton.