Royal Equestrian Racing Club Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:46 | Winning time: 3m 52.50s

Estacas^p1⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Brendan Powell| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 111| BF| D

13/8

Left previous form behind when making a winning handicap debut following a wind op at Huntingdon (15.8f, good). Proved that that was no flash in the pan when second at Fontwell (19.2f, good to firm) last weekend and leading claims back down in trip here. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 052P-12

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Hobie¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: David Dennis| D

11/2

Successful on second of 2 starts in Irish points and stepped up on low-key hurdles debut when landing a 9-runner novice at Worcester (2m, good to soft). Remains unexposed but further improvement is certainly needed here.

Form: 410-51

Komedy Kicks^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Harry Cobden| T: M F Harris| OR: 110| D

5/6

Fair maiden on the Flat who, having acquitted herself well in 3 starts over timber for Jessica Harrington, landed a 2m Worcester maiden on second run for this yard. Clear of the rest when second to a progressive type at Fontwell since and she's a big player.

Form: 52F9-12

Non-Runners

Ve Day¹⁵

Weight: 11-3| Age: 4

T: D McCain Jnr J: Theo Gillard

Forecasts

Komedy Kicks (5/6), Estacas (13/8), Ve Day (7/2), Hobie (11/2)

The filly KOMEDY KICKS probably isn't entirely straightforward, but she didn't do much wrong when chasing home an upwardly mobile type at Fontwell recently and shades preference ahead of Estacas. The latter is likely to appreciate this drop back in trip after also finding one too good at Fontwell and he is clear second choice, given that VE Day has failed to build on his hurdles debut success and Hobie needs to take a sizeable step forward.