Happy 60th Birthday Helen Butterworth Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 10.3s

Giovinco¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

1/2

Off the mark at third attempt between the flags in November and very easily landed the odds on his hurdling debut in 3-runner novice at Ayr (20.4f, good to firm) 15 days ago. That form isn't easy to assess but he's clearly a good prospect.

Form: 5F-11

Busty Boy⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: D Bourke

9/2

250/1, sixteenth of 17 in novice hurdle at Naas (15.5f, soft) on hurdles bow 13 months ago. Has since landed 3 points so he can't be ruled out back in this sphere for his new yard.

Form: 80-1211

Wearelongterm⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer

6/1

Winning pointer who failed to justify short-priced favouritism fitted with cheekpieces when fourth in a Clonmel hunter in January for Gordon Elliott. Well-held sixth on his first start over hurdles over C&D a week ago so needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 12346

Alien Encounter^p1¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: D R Fox| T: L Kerr

100/1

Yet to offer much promise, only seventh of 9 in novice hurdle at Ayr (20.4f, 250/1) 16 days ago. Cheekpieces go on for the first time now.

Form: 90-PP7

Theirshegoes¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson

9/1

80/1, much better effort over hurdles when fifth of 9 in novice at Ayr (20.4f, good) 16 days ago, not knocked about. Can do better still so he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 485

Non-Runners

Largy Shark¹¹⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: S R B Crawford J: D A Jacob

Forecasts

Giovinco (1/2), Largy Shark (6/4), Busty Boy (9/2), Wearelongterm (6/1), Theirshegoes (9/1), Alien Encounter (100/1)

Irish-raider LARGY SHARK looked a useful prospect when going in at the first time of asking over hurdles at Ayr so is fancied to make it 2-2 in this sphere after his break. Giovinco also has much better days ahead of him judged on his facile success at the same track so rates a big threat though. Point-winner Busty Boy and the lightly-raced Theirshegoes shouldn't be underestimated either in an intriguing novice hurdle.