Get Pulling With PJ Nicholls SsangYong Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 5m 50.8s

Almazhar Garde^p,t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 117| D

13/8

Fairly useful chaser who comes here on a losing run but did run well when second in Grand Military Gold Cup on penultimate start in March. Below par display tackling 28f trip at Cheltenham since but he's certainly not out of things on this belated return to hurdling.

Form: F8P429-

Blazing Hartingo⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr Lewis Gordon⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams

125/1

11,000 gns 5-y-o, Mores Wells gelding. Runner-up completed start in points but early reminders and finished well-beaten ninth in 11-runner Fontwell maiden hurdle on Rules debut 7 days ago. Passed over here.

Form: 2UP-9

Destroytheevidence¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

5/1

Fair form in a couple of bumpers this year (third at Doncaster latterly) and similar form without totally convincing with his application when third in 8-runner maiden hurdle at Kempton (21f) 16 days ago. Still, it remains early days with him at least.

Form: 53-3

Huelgoat^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117

10/11

Much improved switched to chasing during second half of last year, completing quick-fire 4-timer at Newbury (22.4f) in November. Plenty of creditable efforts in defeat have followed, and likely he'll be sharper for first start for 4 months at Perth in April. Solid claims back over hurdles.

Form: 113224-

Tout Paris³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: James Best| T: B Lund| OR: 70

200/1

Record over both sets of obstacles hardly solid and he was struggling some way out when pulled up in a Newton Abbot maiden (18.5f) early last month. Hard to fancy.

Form: 05/2U7P-

Forecasts

Huelgoat (10/11), Almazhar Garde (13/8), Destroytheevidence (5/1), Blazing Hartingo (125/1), Tout Paris (200/1)

HUELGOAT developed into a fairly useful performer over fences last year, winning 4 times and, entitled to be sharper for his first start for 4 months at Perth in April, it would come as no surprise to see him play a leading role back over hurdles. Almazhar Garde is also better known for his exploits over fences but rates the chief threat.