Betfred TV EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:51 | Winning time: 4m 16.58s

Norman Fletcher²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: James Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 126| D

11/10

Won twice in bumpers and has been going the right way over hurdles, following up his victory at Market Rasen with a game success at Aintree (17f, heavy) 3 weeks ago. Can make a bold bid for the hat-trick.

Form: 81-F211

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Bertie's Ballet⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| D

5/4

Useful dual bumper winner and, after 7 months off, he was given a considerate introduction to hurdling when second at Wetherby (2m, heavy) last month, finishing with running left. Can build on that effort to go one better.

Form: 13/210-2

Fresh Speculation²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D A Jacob| T: H D Daly

20/1

Has shown signs of ability in a bumper and 2 starts over hurdles so far, keeping on gradually when finishing a well-beaten third behind Norman Fletcher at Aintree 3 week ago. Will be of more appeal in handicaps.

Form: 653

Jo Arengeot Bey Aa⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

8/1

Fetched £50,000 after winning his sole start between the flags and offered something to work on when third in bumper at Uttoxeter (15.8f, heavy) on Rules debut in November. Merits consideration on his hurdles bow.

Form: 1-3

Top Of The Bay^h¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Toby Wynne⁽³⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

200/1

Failed to beat a rival in bumper on debut (only outing for Jamie Snowden), before refusing to race on the second of 2 starts in points. Fitted with a hood, well held at Ludlow on his hurding debut 10 days ago, so he has plenty to find.

Form: 6/UR-8

Orbys River¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Craig Nichol| T: S Allwood

250/1

Failed to complete both starts in Irish points and a Uttoxeter novice on hurdling debut. Hinted at ability when mid-field at Bangor (16.7f, heavy) on her latest outing, but she still looks to face a difficult ask.

Form: P-FP6

Non-Runners

Kingofthegame⁶²

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: M Todhunter J: Sean Quinlan

Forecasts

Norman Fletcher (11/10), Bertie's Ballet (5/4), Jo Arengeot Bey Aa (8/1), Fresh Speculation (20/1), Kingofthegame (50/1), Top Of The Bay (200/1), Orbys River (250/1)

BERTIE'S BALLET finished with running left when second on his hurdling debut at Wetherby last month and, given his useful level of form in bumpers, he can take a step forward to get off the mark in this sphere. Norman Fletcher arrives bidding for a hat-trick and isn't taken lightly, with Jo Arengeot Bey AA the pick of the remainder.