SBK Junior 'National Hunt' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

Arrigo gelding. Hooded, given a considerate introduction when third of 6 in a similar contest at Ayr (2m, soft) back in December, staying on gradually. Rates a likely improver for good stable.

Form: 3

El Battle Bus

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

Australia gelding. Dam, lightly-raced maiden on Flat, closely related to fairly useful hurdler (2m winner) Royal Reserve. In good hands and the betting should prove a useful guide ahead of debut.

Form:

Knight Of Allen⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Mrs J Williams

Carried out soon after the first on his debut in a Cheltenham Grade 2 in November and he showed plenty of ability when second to a subsequent winner in listed juvenile at Aintree a month later. Leading claims.

Form: C2

Knomorediamonds⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Doyle⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

Ran out on debut in an Aintree bumper in November but improved with each outing in that sphere since, rallying for third at Newcastle (14.3f) in December. Bred to be suited by longer trips over jumps, so this test may be on the sharp side.

Form: R53

Ravanelli³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish

Dark Angel gelding who showed clear signs of ability when third of 7 in bumper at Newcastle (1¾m, good to soft) in November, fading in the closing stages. Never figured when last of 7 on Ludlow hurdles bow (2m, heavy) since but forecast sounder surface here should help.

Form: 37

Wreckless Eric¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling

Masterstroke gelding. Dam (c125/h122), 2¼m/19f hurdle/chase winner in France. Strong in betting and definite promise amidst greenness when second on hurdles bow at Newbury (16.3f) 16 days ago. Sure to have derived plenty from that.

Form: 2

Raise Your Glass⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Lily Pinchin| T: C E LongsdonWS

Twice-raced maiden under NH rules. 66/1, sixth of 7 in juvenile hurdle at Ludlow (15.8f, soft) on hurdles bow 50 days ago. Best watched on first start for new yard having undergone wind surgery.

Form: 96

Rockola⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

Jukebox Jury filly who has displayed ability both starts in bumpers, again making the frame when running on third over C&D in December. In good hands and likely to make her mark in this discipline.

Form: 33

Non-Runners

The Ron Do Ron

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: G & J Moore J: Caoilin Quinn

Forecasts

Knight Of Allen (1/1), Wreckless Eric (3/1), The Ron Do Ron (8/1), Rockola (10/1), El Battle Bus (10/1), Knomorediamonds (12/1), Copernic Du Mazet (25/1), Raise Your Glass (50/1), Ravanelli (50/1)

KNIGHT OF ALLEN showed plenty of ability on what was effectively his debut when runner-up to a subsequent winner at listed level at Aintree a couple of months ago and a repeat here could well be enough to see him get off the mark. Wreckless Eric, who showed promise himself amidst greenness when second at Newbury recently rates the chief threat. El Battle Bus and The Ron Do Ron are a couple of newcomers to note.