Sky Bet Dovecote Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 3m 50.55s

Hansard⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 130| D

9/4

Fairly useful Irish bumper winner for Charles O'Brien and made it 2-2 over hurdles for this yard when landing a 12-runner Plumpton novice last month. Every inch a leading contender with the promise of even better to come.

Form: 4361-11

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Imperial Bede²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120| D

10/1

French bumper winner who duly stepped up on his hurdles debut display when seeing off 13 rivals in good style in a Huntingdon maiden last month. This is more demanding but he looks a useful novice in the making.

Form: 3120-31

Kayf Legend¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| D

25/1

Bagged a Stratford bumper in October and made it second time lucky over hurdles at Lingfield recently. Further progress likely for last year's winning yard but this assignment calls for significant improvement.

Form: 4-1561

Rubaud^h1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 130| D

11/4

Useful on the Flat in France and successful at Taunton on first 2 starts of this season before finishing a clear second over C&D on Boxing Day. Was too lit up to give himself a chance in a hot Newbury handicap a fortnight ago but good claims back in novice company with a first-time hood enlisted.

Form: 8-1120

Ukantango⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 129| D

7/2

Winner of his first 3 starts under Rules, namely a bumper and brace of novice hurdles, before finishing second in a Cheltenham Grade 2 in November. Testing conditions were perhaps against him at Sandown last time and he's one to consider with the ground likely to be more suitable this time.

Form: 31-112P

Mullenbeg⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: M F Harris| OR: 121| BF| D

7/1

Useful dual bumper winner who completed a hurdles hat-trick when taking a 2m Ludlow handicap in November. Came up short when bidding for the 4-timer at Cheltenham but she remains with potential and could have a part to play up in class here granted a strong pace to aim at.

Form: 321116

Postmark^t⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: M F Harris| D

16/1

Useful winner on the Flat and left low-key hurdles debut a long way behind when cosily landing a 4-runner Newbury maiden last weekend. Likely capable of better still but this represents a significant step up in class and yard saddles a more appealing candidate in Mullenbeg.

Form: 71

Forecasts

Hansard (9/4), Rubaud (11/4), Ukantango (7/2), Mullenbeg (7/1), Imperial Bede (10/1), Postmark (16/1), Kayf Legend (25/1)

IMPERIAL BEDE impressed with his slick jumping when winning a Huntingdon maiden and it would be no surprise whatsoever were he to take this step up in class in his stride. Jonjo O'Neill's charge is an appealing alternative to likely favourite Hansard, who is 2-2 in this sphere and merits the utmost respect. It's probably best to draw a line though Rubaud's effort in the Betfair Hurdle and he looks dangerous, while cases can also be made for Mullenbeg and Ukantango