Blithfield Building Services Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 6m 5.60s

Mexico²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 122

11/4

Fairly useful hurdler. 18/1, respectable eighth of 16 in handicap hurdle at Sandown (19.8f, soft) 21 days ago. Can give a good account back in these calmer waters.

Form: 321438

Mr Vango⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Tudor| T: M Bradstock| OR: 125

13/2

Won sole start in points and built on a successful hurdling debut when runner-up under a penalty at Hereford. Pulled up in Prestige Novices at Haydock last time but can bounce back.

Form: 1-12P

Sporting Ace^p²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 119| BF

3/1

Fairly useful hurdler. 2/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, creditable second of 7 in handicap hurdle at Warwick (26f, soft) 20 days ago. Not ruled out with headgear retained.

Form: 223222

Top Target⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 121| BF

10/3

Point winner who also landed a Wetherby novice (21.2f) on hurdles debut in December. Good efforts since at Wincanton and Ffos Las so he commands respect.

Form: 51-2124

Good Friday Fairy¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke

66/1

14/1, ninth of 12 in bumper at Chepstow (16f, good to soft) on NH debut 13 days ago. Makes hurdles debut with more needed now significantly up in trip.

Form: FF9

The Newest One²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 120| BF

4/1

Fairly useful hurdler/chaser who comes here on the back of a good second of 7 in handicap hurdle at Doncaster (24.4f, good) 28 days ago. The form pick.

Form: 44-5P22

Forecasts

Mexico (11/4), Sporting Ace (3/1), Top Target (10/3), The Newest One (4/1), Mr Vango (13/2), Good Friday Fairy (66/1)

THE NEWEST ONE arrives in good nick and rates the pick on form so can gain a deserved first success in this sphere at the chief expense of Mexico who has his sights lowered here and can get back on track. Top Target and Mr Vango need considering too in a useful novice.