Denis O'Connell Memorial Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 13.50s

Barlovento²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

7/4

Confirmed debut promise when cosily winning a Southwell bumper in March and made no mistake on his first outing over hurdles when landing a 14-runner novice at Carlisle (20f, good to soft) last month, finishing well after conceding first run. Sets a good standard under a penalty.

Form: 31-1

Amarillobymorning^t¹⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling

33/1

Runner up in an Irish point in April 2022 but not seen again until beaten a long way in 2 hurdles in the spring. Difficult to fancy after another 6 months off.

Form: 2/3-0

Jumble Jury⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Lily Pinchin| T: N B King

125/1

Has won a point and hinted at ability on his first bumper outing but very little promise otherwise, pulled up at Uttoxter on Saturday. Can't be fancied.

Form: 3/145-0P

Ma Shantou³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle

4/5

Fine start when third of 10 in a Fairyhouse bumper and, having moved to current yard for £120,000, opened his account impressively at Huntingdon next time. Looked as if in need of experience when second in a Wincanton novice on hurdles bow last month and is highly respected with that under his belt.

Form: 310-2

Rubber Ball²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King

6/1

Irish point winner ran to a fair level when fifth of 14 in bumper at Cheltenham (16.4f, good, 22/1) 25 days ago. Should make a hurdler now stepped up in trip.

Form: 1-5

Non-Runners

Doctor Midas¹⁹³

Weight: 10-13| Age: 4

T: N J Henderson J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ma Shantou (4/5), Barlovento (7/4), Doctor Midas (5/1), Rubber Ball (6/1), Amarillobymorning (33/1), Jumble Jury (125/1)

BARLOVENTO added to his bumper success when getting up in the nick of time to make a winning hurdles debut at Carlisle and he's fancied to defy a penalty at the chief expense of useful bumper performer Ma Shantou, who could improve markedly with hurdling experience now under his belt. Rubber Ball made a promising enough start in a Cheltenham bumper last month and should have a future over jumps.