Sky Bet Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Sharp Novices' Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 3m 52.03s

Imaginarium¹⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| D

16/1

Useful Irish 9f winner on Flat for Ger Lyons and made a winning start over hurdles on his sole start for Lucinda Russell in 2m Perth maiden in May. Starts out for another good yard now and he's much respected.

Form: 1

Strong Foundations²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: R T Dunne| T: S Drinkwater| D

33/1

A fair bumper performer who made a winning start in this sphere in 11-runner novice hurdle at Warwick (16f, good) 22 days ago. Open to improvement but will need to in this company.

Form: 2/454-1

Valgrand¹⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 118| D

3/1

Very useful form shown in bumpers and he scored readily over hurdles in 2m Uttoxeter maiden and 2m4f Bangor novice in May. Holds solid claims with more to come after a break.

Form: 2/24-11

Brave Knight⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 127| D

11/2

A fairly useful 2m winner on Flat for Sir Mark Prescott and he went 3-3 over hurdles for his new stable this summer in 2m Newton Abbot novice in August. Capable of better yet so he must enter calculations.

Form: 111

Dancing In Paris⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: C J Todd| T: Ian Williams| BF

18/1

Is enjoying a very good season on the Flat, bagging his third victory at Southwell in August. This is no easy introduction but he's still much respected now starting out over hurdles.

Form:

Gale Mahler^p⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: A Keatley| OR: 135| D

4/5

Has improved with every run and she made it 6 wins on the spin (including bumpers) in 8-runner listed hurdle at Galway (2m) in July. Holds leading form claims here.

Form: 111111

Forecasts

Gale Mahler (4/5), Valgrand (3/1), Brave Knight (11/2), Imaginarium (16/1), Dancing In Paris (18/1), Strong Foundations (33/1)

A fascinating Grade 2 event. GALE MAHLER has carried all before her thus far and is impossible to side against in her bid to go 5-5 over hurdles on the back of an impressive Galway listed victory. Both Valgrand (second choice) and Brave Knight are with top yards and also unbeaten in this sphere so should ensure Adrian Keatley's likeable mare doesn't have things all her own way.