Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 7m 0.50s

Ben Lilly^p,t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Gearoid Harney⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 105| CD

10/3

Useful 7-time Flat winner for David Brown and off the mark in this sphere at the eleventh attempt over C&D (heavy) 10 days ago. This 3 lb higher mark should be manageable and he's a must for the shortlist.

Form: 2434-31

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Astroman^p¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: S Hosie| OR: 100| D

10/1

Belatedly off the mark (fortunate winner) in maiden hurdle at Stratford in May and followed up under a penalty back in a handicap at Fontwell. However, he was beaten 6¼ lengths when fourth to Ben Lilly over C&D recently and there's no real reason to think he'll turn the tables on that rival.

Form: 113444

Coal Fire¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 92

3/1

Opened his account at Market Rasen (20.6f) in July and has backed that up with creditable efforts in defeat at Cartmel (2¾m) and Worcester (23f) since. Shapes as though he'll stay this trip and a bold show is anticipated.

Form: 6P2133

Fortunate Fred^p,t⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 91

5/1

Yet to get his head in front but placed on several occasions and proved his stamina when fourth in a 15-runner handicap over this C&D last time. Very much one to consider off the same mark.

Form: 3-63234

Wot You Wearing^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Sean Houlihan| T: R Stephens| OR: 81

7/2

Fair in bumpers and left previous hurdles form when narrowly prevailing upped in trip on his handicap debut at Uttoxeter (23.3f, good to soft) where the re-opposing Mactavish was a close-up third. 4 lb rise tolerable and should make his presence felt.

Form: 3236-91

Mactavish¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: R Patrick| T: M Sheppard| OR: 80

11/2

Remains a maiden following 11 attempts in this sphere but produced one of his better efforts when putting in good late work to finish a close third to Wot You Wearing at Uttoxeter last month. This further step up in trip should be in his favour and he needs considering.

Form: U0-0P63

Non-Runners

Best Mate Dave³⁴

Weight: 11-1| Age: 6

T: D J Jeffreys J: Thomas Bellamy

Forecasts

Coal Fire (3/1), Ben Lilly (10/3), Wot You Wearing (7/2), Best Mate Dave (9/2), Fortunate Fred (5/1), Mactavish (11/2), Astroman (10/1)

This looks very trappy indeed and the suggestion is FORTUNATE FRED, who benefited from the step up to this trip when fourth in a big-field handicap here in August and he is appealing off the same mark. Coal Fire is likely to appreciate this stiffer test and he has to be feared, along with recent C&D scorer Ben Lilly.