Poundland EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 5f | 8 Runners | Turf

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: P Gundry| OR: 117| BF

Defied a long absence when readily gettting off the mark in novice at Exeter (23.1f) in November. Ran at least as well when collared on the line at Wincanton (21.4f, heavy) 19 days ago, so she looks to hold leading claims.

Form: 182/12

Ottoline⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 115

Having shown modest form in bumpers, was much improved on her third start over hurdles when winning novice at Uttoxeter (22.2f, heavy) 9 days ago, suited by the step up in trip. Respected now that she's up and running.

Form: 3/285-31

Ellies Sister²²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden

Green on debut but knew more when runner-up in a Hereford bumper in January. However, produced a lacklustre first effort over hurdles at Market Rasen in May, so needs to leave that run well behind after a further 7 months off.

Form: 52-5

Miss Ghillie⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: W Greatrex

Failed to complete both starts in points in the spring and looked one for the longer term when well held in maiden hurdle at Hereford (19.7f, good to soft) on Rules debut 40 days ago.

Form: F-B0

Molto Bene³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E Longsdon

Showed a bit on her debut when fifth of 10 in maiden hurdle at Lingfield (19.5f, good to soft) last month. Will need to take a step forward from that first experience, though shaped as if going up in trip should suit.

Form: 5

Oneandahalfdegrees⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle

After 7 months off, showed more than on her first start in bumpers when sixth of 17 at Wincanton (15.2f, soft) 50 days ago. Bred to come into her own once jumping, so she's an interesting contender now upped in trip over hurdles.

Form: 5-6

Quite The Getaway³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

Made the frame twice from 4 starts in bumpers, but offered little on her stable/hurdling debut when well-beaten sixth in maiden at Lingfield (19.5f, good to soft) a month ago. However, she could fare better with her recent run behind her.

Form: 928-36

Twyford's Diamond³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling

Well held in bumper for Alastair Ralph but, after 9 months off, improved from that effort when fifth of 16 at Ludlow (15.8f, soft) on her stable debut last month. Bred to be suited by this longer distance as she makes her hurdles bow.

Form: 0-5

Forecasts

Ottoline (6/4), Don't Rightly Know (9/4), Oneandahalfdegrees (13/2), Quite The Getaway (8/1), Molto Bene (14/1), Twyford's Diamond (14/1), Ellies Sister (20/1), Miss Ghillie (25/1)

DON'T RIGHTLY KNOW opened her account in good style at Exeter in November and backed up that effort when second at Wincanton 19 days ago, so she is taken to resume winning ways as she makes only her fifth start under Rules. The 8-y-o can see off the challenge of recent winner Ottoline, while Oneandahalfdegrees is one to note on her hurdling debut.