William Hill Epic Weekend Free Bet Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 6m 4.97s

Butch²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 129| D

3/1

Progressive hurdler last season who made the most a good opportunity in convincing style up in trip on his return at Southwell (24.3f) 25 days ago, well on top finish. Remains open to further improvement.

Form: 2/7212-1

Lisnamult Lad¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Harvey| T: J C McConnell| D

5/2

Made the most of another good opportunity to take his hurdling record to 3 wins from 4 starts in 5-runner novice at Ludlow (21.2f, good) 17 days ago, pushed out. Faces a stiffer task here but it's possible the step up to 3m could bring about further improvement.

Form: 2-61311

Antrim Coast¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G P Cromwell

9/4

Confirmed the abundant promise of his hurdling debut when impressive winner of 19-runner maiden at Punchestown (20f, good) 18 days ago, storming clear. Will stay beyond 2½m and remains capable of much better.

Form: 821

Reverend Hubert³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Philip Byrnes| T: C Byrnes

7/2

Fairly useful winner at 2m on Flat and confirmed previous hurdling promise when making the most of a good opportunity at Downpatrick (21.7f, good) in August. Built on that when third in a stronger race at Listowel since and ought to be very competitive again.

Form: 2313

Track And Trace³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

22/1

Expensive purchase who built on an encouraging hurdling debut after 11 months off when shading a tight finish in a 5-runner novice at Warwick (21f) 33 days ago. This is much tougher but he's open to further improvement providing he stands more regular racing.

Form: 35/6-1

Thirtyfour Thirty⁹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: M G Nolan| T: S Hosie

50/1

Telescope gelding who confirmed his bumper debut promise when off the mark in game fashion at Worcester in July. Shaped as if still in good form on first run since leaving Nigel Twiston-Davies when second at Stratford subsequently but starts out over hurdles in a warm-looking event.

Form: 212

Forecasts

Antrim Coast (9/4), Lisnamult Lad (5/2), Butch (3/1), Reverend Hubert (7/2), Track And Trace (22/1), Thirtyfour Thirty (50/1)

An interesting small-field novice. ANTRIM COAST has made a highly promising start to his career over hurdles, confirming his debut promise when storming clear at Punchestown 18 days ago and, with much better still to come, especially now stepping up in trip, he's difficult to oppose. Butch is another progressive sort who warrants plenty of respect, as does Reverend Hubert, who ran well in a warmish race at Listowel last time.