Read Henry Brooke On Blog.Rhino.Bet EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 22.1s

Ooh Betty^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Ben Clarke| OR: 125

2/1

Dual winner in May who quickly revived after a couple of lesser efforts when landing a Hereford handicap in good style in late November. Showed much improved form when headed in the dying strides at Lingfield subsequently and sets a clear standard on that effort.

Form: 113P12

Jaminska²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 112

7/2

Landed a 2m juvenile at Hereford last January and shaped encouragingly when runner-up on handicap bow at Taunton 10 months later before running about as well as could be expected against a superior pair back there in December. Tiring in third when fell heavily last at Chepstow last time.

Form: 221-23F

Party Vibes⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Alice Stevens⁽⁵⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 113

5/4

£45,000 purchase after finishing runner-up on her completed start in Irish points and confirmed previous promise under Rules when opening her account in a 10-runner novice at Wincanton (15.2f) on Boxing Day. Open to further improvement.

Form: F2-221

Giver The Hollie²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

33/1

Placed both completed starts in Irish points and has shown some promise in bumpers/over hurdles but is probably more one for handicaps after this.

Form: P-35383

Jacksbar²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton

100/1

In need of the experience on hurdling debut at Taunton and went backwards at Hereford next time. Needs this for a handicap mark.

Form: 69

Lily Baloo¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby

150/1

Looks one for the longer term.

Form: 765

Twyford's Diamond²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling

12/1

Showed little in a brace of bumpers but was much improved from hurdling bow when fifth of 16 in a maiden (150/1) at Newbury (16.3f, soft) 28 days ago. May do better still.

Form: 0-585

Forecasts

Party Vibes (5/4), Ooh Betty (2/1), Jaminska (7/2), Twyford's Diamond (12/1), Giver The Hollie (33/1), Jacksbar (100/1), Lily Baloo (150/1)

OOH BETTY showed much improved form when a close second at Lingfield last month and will be hard to beat if reproducing that effort back in lesser company. Party Vibes opened her account in likeable fashion at Wincanton on Boxing Day and rates the main threat with further progress on the cards.