John & Marian McInnes Memorial Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 6m 42.30s

Val Dancer⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 113

7/4

Runner-up in a bumper and made second hurdles start a winning one at Bangor (19.6f) in November. Has found life tougher under a penalty both starts since but mark for this handicap debut looks fair and he could have a major say.

Form: 2-25154

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Gerico Ville^p⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: J E Moore| T: C Gordon| OR: 113

10/11

Related to plenty of winners and gained first success of his own when rallying close home to prevail in a tight finish at Lingfield (23f) in January. Decent second off this mark in first-time cheekpieces over C&D next time and obvious claims.

Form: 3F-4312

Shandancer^p,t²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 105

7/1

Fair bumper performer in Ireland and respectable fifth of 17 on handicap debut in this sphere at Huntingdon (20.6f) in January. Failed to reproduce that level of form in first-time cheekpieces and tongue strap (both retained here) at Sedgefield since but perhaps worth another chance.

Form: 4-64453

Flemen's Tipple²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 90

12/1

Signs of ability in a couple of Irish bumpers and showed a bit more previously for present yard when fifth in a 2m maiden hurdle at Lingfield on penultimate start. Ran poorly upped to 23f on handicap debut there last time, though.

Form: 7-07058

Forecasts

Gerico Ville (10/11), Val Dancer (7/4), Shandancer (7/1), Flemen's Tipple (12/1)

It could be worth chancing VAL DANCER, who did the job well when opening his account in a Bangor novice in November and, though safely held both starts since, he appeals as the type to get back on track now pitched into a handicap off what looks a realistic opening mark. Gerico Ville is likely to be a warm order having found just one too good off this mark over C&D last week and he is the clear main danger ahead of Shandancer.