14:30 Exeter

Sunday 12 February 2023

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

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 4m 36.40s

Back Yourself^p⁵⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Alan Johns| T: V R A Dartnall

12/1

In first-time cheekpieces, got back on track when third of 6 in bumper at Ballinrobe in August 2021. First run for yard after leaving John Patrick Murtagh. Watch for market clues ahead of hurdles debut.

Form: 97/03-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Off To A Flyer⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

8/15

Cost £180,000 after winning sole outing in points and has improved with each of his starts under Rules so far, sticking to task when third in novice hurdle at Kempton (2m) on Boxing Day. Can get off the mark with return to longer trip in his favour.

Form: 15-63

Russies Dream³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: James Davies| T: C J Down

66/1

Little encouragement in a pair of bumpers and has shaped similarly in a novice/maiden hurdle. Best watched.

Form: 90-89

The Carpenter⁷⁰¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

7/4

Made promising debut when second of 12 in bumper at Navan back in March 2021. Off 23 months ahead of his hurdles bow, but he's an interesting contender on first run for yard after leaving Stuart Crawford.

Form: 2/

Wellwillya⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes

150/1

Failed to beat a rival in a pair of Exeter bumpers 7 months apart. Makes little appeal on his hurdles bow.

Form: 0-0

Bellissimo Milan⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: N R Mitchell

100/1

Fell sole start in Irish points and hasn't offered much in a Newton Abbot bumper and novice hurdles at Warwick/Exeter for new connections.

Form: F-45P

Molly's Angel³⁶⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Ben Ffrench-Davis⁽⁷⁾| T: W De Best-Turner

125/1

Finished down the field in a trio of bumpers and looks to be up against it once again as she goes hurdling after 12 months off.

Form: 6/70-

Non-Runners

El Rio⁹²

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: K Bailey & M Nicholls J: David Bass

Seismic Wave³⁰⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: F O'Brien J: C Brace

Starevitch¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: Jamie Snowden J: G Sheehan

Twp Stori²⁰

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: Mrs N S Evans J: R T Dunne

Forecasts

Off To A Flyer (8/15), The Carpenter (7/4), Seismic Wave (7/1), Starevitch (8/1), Back Yourself (12/1), El Rio (12/1), Russies Dream (66/1), Bellissimo Milan (100/1), Twp Stori (100/1), Molly's Angel (125/1), Wellwillya (150/1)

OFF TO A FLYER was an expensive purchase after winning his sole outing in points and has progressed in each of his 3 starts under Rules, finishing third at Kempton last time despite being unsuited by the drop back in trip. He can open his account this time around, though The Carpenter isn't taken lightly on his first run for Nicky Henderson. Seismic Wave completes the shortlist.