Download The BetVictor App Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 3m 49.35s

Matata^h³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 120| BF| D

11/4

Point winner and successful start under Rules at Fakenham in October. Good runner-up efforts despite taking a strong hold next 2 starts. Hung left and ran out early on at right-handed Wincanton latest. Clearly a bit awkward but doesn't lack for talent and opening mark looks very workable.

Form: 1-122R

Poncho³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 115| D

11/4

Promising start to his career, building on hurdle debut second when landing short odds at Plumpton (2m, good to soft) 33 days ago. Likely more to come from him now moving into a handicap.

Form: 2321

Dom Perry²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: H Morrison| OR: 109| D

9/2

Fair bumper winner who was well held both starts over hurdles for Laura Morgan last season but proved a different proposition on his return for a new yard last month, winning a 2m Southwell maiden. Opening mark demands more but he could find it.

Form: 12/65-1

Imac Wood²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Chris Ward⁽³⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 109

25/1

Dual chase winner in France early last year. First sign of encouragement over hurdles for new yard when fourth of 8 in 2m Bangoe handicap 22 days ago. Needs to build on that now.

Form: 161-P84

Forget The Way²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 107

7/1

Struggled in bumpers but has shown a fair level of ability in maiden/novice hurdles this season. Hard to argue his opening mark his generous but his unexposed profile provides the hope for better.

Form: 00-353

Fame And Fun^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 104

10/3

Made a winning handicap debut at Taunton (19f) after Christmas and solid placed efforts there on both completed starts since. Travels well enough to think he should be as effective back down at 2m. Respected.

Form: 031U32

Captain Jack^p,t²⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 94

18/1

Turned in his best effort of the season when 5 lengths second in 2m Market Rasen handicap last month but this long-standing maiden will likely be vulnerable to some of the less exposed types in this line-up.

Form: 5/P-8B32

Forecasts

Matata (11/4), Poncho (11/4), Fame And Fun (10/3), Dom Perry (9/2), Forget The Way (7/1), Captain Jack (18/1), Imac Wood (25/1)

MATATA's headstrong tendencies are a bit of a concern but there's little doubt he has the raw ability to do some damage in handicaps from an opening mark of 120 and the return to a left-handed track should suit given what happened at Wincanton. Fellow handicap newcomer Poncho has made a bright start to his career and is feared most ahead of Fame And Fun .