British EBF Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Listed) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 6m 19.05s

Loughglynn²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143

8/11

Made winning hurdles debut at Punchestown in November before landing Grade 2 event at Limerick. Soon bounced back after a lesser effort when third of 11 to Captain Cody in Easter Festival Novices' Hurdle at Fairyhouse (20f, heavy, 8/1) 24 days ago and he merits plenty of respect.

Form: 19-11P3

Farnoge^t1⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 129

20/1

Looked a good prospect when winning a Uttoxeter bumper last spring and took his record under Rules to 3-3 when winning novice hurdles at Newton Abbot and Ascot. Pulled up in the Challow since and fared no better in calmer waters at Musselburgh last time, so has bit to prove with tongue tie applied.

Form: 2/1-11PP

Great Pepper^p1⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlotte Jones| T: James Moffatt| OR: 121| D

16/1

Dual point winner who showed a good attitude to land novice hurdles at Hexham (2m4f) and Kelso (22.7f) either side of Christmas. Scoped dirty after pulling up in Prestige Hurdle at Haydock (3m) last time but is well worth another chance now fitted with headgear.

Form: P11-11P

Sounds Russian⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 149

5/1

High-class chaser was still yet to be asked for his effort when brought down in last season's Gold Cup but made a low-key return after 17 months off when fifth of 6 in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock (24.3f, heavy) 67 days ago. Likely will need to step up on that effort.

Form: 1422B-5

Dicey Rielly²⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 112| BF

50/1

Thrived in 2023, making it 4 wins (3 chase, 1 hurdle) when seeing off 6 rivals over fences at Worcester in July. Found run of good form coming to a halt soon after and off since, so others make greater appeal.

Form: 512116

El Elefante³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 124| C

10/3

Won bumper and mares novice hurdle here in 2023 before doubling tally over timber in another mares event at Ayr last month. In the process of showing much-improved form when taking a late fall in a Newbury handicap last month and should go close in receipt of weight from most of her rivals.

Form: 15451F

Forecasts

Loughglynn (8/11), El Elefante (10/3), Sounds Russian (5/1), Great Pepper (16/1), Farnoge (20/1), Dicey Rielly (50/1)

EL ELEFANTE was still in front when taking a final-flight fall at Newbury and provided that tumble hasn't left a mark, is fancied to maintain her unbeaten record at Perth. Loughglynn has to be seriously respected as Willie Mullins attempts to strengthen his grip on the British Trainers' Championship, whilst Great Pepper clearly wasn't 100% at Haydock and is the pick for third on his prior efforts.