13:05 Aintree

Tuesday 26 December 2023

All11:5512:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:25

William Hill Formby Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) (Formerly Registered As The Tolworth Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:07 | Winning time: 4m 27.1s

Cannock Park³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Craig Nichol| T: Paul Robson| D

40/1

Successful sole outing in point bumpers and confirmed the promise of his Rules debut 7 months on when landing 10-runner contest at Bangor in October, keeping on well. Excellent hurdles debut when successful at Cheltenham but this asks a different question.

Form: 12-11

Farren Glory²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| D

11/5

Took his record to 3 from 4 under Rules when landing the Grade 1 Royal Bond in gritty fashion, rallying well to see off King of Kingsfield. That probably wasn't a vintage renewal of the race but it's still a win at the top level and he can progeess so has to go on the shortlist.

Form: 4/215-11

Favour And Fortune³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 126| D

10/1

Easy winner of Southwell and Warwick bumpers last term. No impact in the Champion Bumper final start but has outclassed the opposition both starts over hurdles this autumn, latterly at Wetherby. Can leave bare form behind, but he needs to.

Form: 110-11

Florida Dreams¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| OR: 129| C| D

14/1

Unbeaten in bumpers, latterly overcoming trouble to see off 19 rivals in a Grade 2 here in April. Found out in a steadily-run race when beaten favourite on hurdles debut at Ayr but made no mistake back at that venue a fortnight ago. More to come.

Form: 11-31

Jango Baie⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| D

17/2

£170,000 buy after finishing runner-up sole start in Irish points in February and he justified strong market support on hurdles debut at Ascot last month (narrowly, but race has worked out). In top hands and there should be lots more to come.

Form: 2-1

Kamsinas³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 134| D

15/2

Fairly useful bumper winner who made an impressive start over hurdles when landing the odds in a 2m Worcester novice in October, cruising clear. Built on that when runner-up in Cheltenham Grade 2 and confirmed he's useful when scoring at Haydock last month from Making Headway.

Form: B13-121

Making Headway³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 131

33/1

Successful on second of 2 starts in Irish points and created a positive impression when running out a comfortable winner of a Carlisle novice (17.2f) on his hurdling debut in October. Much better form upped in class when second to Kamsinas in Garde 2 at Haydock last month.

Form: F/1-12

Tellherthename³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 132| D

5/1

£200,000 half-brother to useful hurdler Whatsnotoknow and offered plenty to work on when runner-up to Jango Baie on his Ascot hurdle debut (15.7f) last month. Landed the odds with the minimum of fuss at Huntingdon and more to come.

Form: 1-21

July Flower^h1³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Felix de Giles| T: M Seror

10/3

Disappointed only start for Henry de Bromhead but won 4 of 5 starts for M.Seror, recording a smart performance when second in Group 1 company at Auteuil last month. Hood back on and the one to beat in receipt of weight all round.

Form: 119-112

Non-Runners

Jackpot D'athou⁴⁸

Weight: 11-8| Age: 4

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Farren Glory (11/5), July Flower (10/3), Tellherthename (5/1), Kamsinas (15/2), Jango Baie (17/2), Favour And Fortune (10/1), Florida Dreams (14/1), Jackpot D'athou (14/1), Making Headway (33/1), Cannock Park (40/1)

In receipt of weight from male opposition, French raider JULY FLOWER looks the one to be with having posted a smart performance when runner-up at the top level last month. Jango Baie and Tellherthename fought out the finish at Ascot last month and both look very useful prospects.