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

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 44.50s

Imperial Merlin⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁵⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 123| BF| D

15/8

Bumper winner in the spring and successful first 2 starts over hurdles, albeit helped by main rival running out at Newcastle. Didn't do a lot wrong in form terms despite failing to land the odds at Kelso in December.

Form: 21-112

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Hurricane Bay²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: L Wadham| OR: 133| C

4/9

Showed fair form in bumpers and already better over hurdles, runner-up to Hall Lane at Wetherby before going one place better at this track in November. Improved further when an excellent third in the Grade 2 River Don and that is comfortably the best form on offer. Back in trip.

Form: 53-2133

Medicine Wheel²⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Coltherd| T: N Mechie

200/1

Limited impact in bumpers.

Form: 0-89

Scrum Diddly¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Cannon| T: O Sherwood

22/1

Placed on completed start in Irish points back in May but down the field in a bumper and has shaped like a stayer over hurdles.

Form: F-3096

Forecasts

Hurricane Bay (4/9), Imperial Merlin (15/8), Scrum Diddly (22/1), Medicine Wheel (200/1)

HURRICANE BAY shaped like the likely winner for much of the straight in the Grade 2 River Don 3 weeks ago and a repeat of that performance will very likely get the job done back in novice company. Imperial Merlin will hopefully ensure the race is a competitive one.