BetMGM EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:35 | Winning time: 3m 36.15s

Clinton Lane¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Fergus Gillard| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 104

17/2

Yet to better modest form in this sphere but managed to double career tally after 5 months off in 7-runner Plumpton novice (15.9f) 19 days ago. Looks vulnerable under a penalty, however.

Form: 91P-5P1

Holeshot³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

11/1

Maiden pointer, fell last time (Apr 21). Bred for longer trips and shaped in kind when fourth of 13 in novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good to soft) on Rules debut 5 weeks ago. Type to do better further down the line but claims of making the frame nevertheless.

Form: 5P42F-4

Roxhill²⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Daniel Sansom⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins

50/1

€9,000 3-y-o, Ocovango gelding. Dam unraced. Third on first of 2 starts in point bumpers, unplaced last time (Feb 2024). Betting should prove a useful guide on hurdles debut.

Form: 3/8-

Sorceleur^t¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| BF

2/9

Promising type. 1 win from 2 runs this season. 1/4, career best when winning 3-runner novice hurdle at Exeter (16.7f, good) 1 day ago, running on. Outstanding claims.

Form: 3315-21

Staff Sergeant Len²⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones| T: Anthony Charlton

10/1

Nutan gelding. Brother to fair hurdler Sergeant. Much improved from debut when second in a Fontwell bumper (17.7f) in January. Failed by a long chalk to match that at Stratford (16.3f) in March but no great surprise to see a better showing now hurdling.

Form: P25-

Till You Can't¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Robbie David⁽⁷⁾| T: Daisy Hitchins

100/1

Pulled up in point and little show in bumpers/maiden hurdles.

Form: P-558P

Forecasts

Sorceleur (2/9), Clinton Lane (17/2), Staff Sergeant Len (10/1), Holeshot (11/1), Roxhill (50/1), Till You Can't (100/1)

SORCELEUR stands out on what he achieved in bumpers and put up a career best when winning 3-runner novice hurdle at Exeter (16.7f, good) 1 day ago. He'll be hard to beat in turning out quickly. Staff Sergeant Len on hurdles bow and Holeshot can fill the places.