Download The BetVictor App 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 4m 55.88s

American Sniper^p1³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 127

10/3

Runner-up in a pair of Worcester bumpers and showed a good attitude when winning first 2 completed starts over hurdles. Lost out only narrowly on handicap debut at Taunton in January and clearly wasn't 100% when pulled up at Leicester last time. Cheekpieces go on and likely to bounce back.

Form: U1132P

Twig³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 130| D

4/9

Multiple point/chase winner who opened his account over hurdles in a 21f novice at Kempton in November. Upped in grade and well held in River Don at Doncaster 11 weeks later but can get back on track now returned to calmer waters.

Form: 121216

Big Jim Beam⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: W Greatrex| BF

12/1

Fairly useful bumper winner but ran a good way below that level on his completed start over hurdles at Huntingdon.

Form: P/F-18P

Diamond Egg^h¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon

14/1

Opened his account in bumpers at Huntingdon last May. Unseated early on his first go over hurdles at Plumpton and ran to only a modest level fitted with a hood when last of 4 here (16.3f) 6 days later. Up in trip.

Form: 53-1U4

Piper Tom^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

100/1

£60,000 Presenting gelding. Third sole start in Irish points but tongue tied and failed to meet expectations in a Huntingdon bumper on Boxing Day. Upped in trip and showed a bit more under a considerate ride on Kempton hurdle debut 3 weeks ago but looks one for handicaps later on.

Form: 3-93

Time To Dazzle²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore

14/1

£27,000 Zambezi Sun gelding. Showed ability under a considerate ride when fifth of 9 in a novice here (16.3f, firm) on debut last month. Up in trip and likely to improve.

Form: 5

Non-Runners

Molly's Angel¹⁹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 6

T: W De Best-Turner J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Twig (4/9), American Sniper (10/3), Big Jim Beam (12/1), Diamond Egg (14/1), Time To Dazzle (14/1), Piper Tom (100/1), Molly's Angel (150/1)

TWIG was unable to sustain his effort in the River Don at Doncaster last time, but he was said to have been showing signs of heat stress in the aftermath, so he's well worth another chance, especially now returned to calmer waters. American Sniper also needs to bounce back but will pose a big threat if doing so, while Time To Dazzle showed ability under a considerate ride on his debut here last month and shouldn't be overlooked with improvement anticipated.