Coral 'We're Here For It' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:17 | Winning time: 5m 6.50s

Califet En Vol¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| D

7/2

Cost plenty after finishing runner-up on his only outing in Irish points and having shaped encouragingly in an Ayr bumper in April, looked a smart prospect when bolting up in 6-runner novice at Kempton (21f, good to soft) on hurdling debut earlier in the month. Rates a very smart prospect.

Form: 23-1

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Electric Mason²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Freddie Gordon⁽⁵⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 117

16/1

Point recruit who opened his account in bumpers at Kempton back in February. Stuck to his task nicely when runner-up on hurdles debut at Uttoxeter last month and went one better with a gritty display in 14-runner novice at Fontwell (17.7f, good to soft) recently. Can progress further.

Form: 3120-21

Silver Thorn⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Cobden| T: Miss E C Lavelle

28/1

Reached the frame in 2 bumpers earlier in the year and made a successful hurdle debut in a 2¾m Stratford maiden (heavy) 6 weeks ago. That form was only fair, but he can better it.

Form: 42-1

The New Lion³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

4/6

Bred to stay well but showed no shortage of speed when winning a Market Rasen bumper on debut in April. Again looked an excellent prospect on return when scooting clear in 14-runner novice at Chepstow (19.4f, good to soft) last month and looks sure to go on to much better things.

Form: 1-1

French Ship²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 127

4/1

Bumper winner at Haydock in May who built on his hurdling debut promise when winning 11-runner novice at Chepstow (19.4f, good to soft) earlier this month, staying on well and by no means yet the finished article. The runner-up that day won at Wetherby earlier this week and he can progress again.

Form: 42-121

Springs A Girl³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley

125/1

A fair bumper winner who put her hurdling debut mishap well behind her (when hooded) in causing an 80/1 shock in 11-runner novice at Stratford (22f, good to soft) last month, sustaining her run to edge ahead close home. Faces a stiff task in this company, however.

Form: 109-U1

Forecasts

The New Lion (4/6), Califet En Vol (7/2), French Ship (4/1), Electric Mason (16/1), Silver Thorn (28/1), Springs A Girl (125/1)

A pre-Christmas cracker with all six arriving on the back of a recent win, but it's hard to escape the impression THE NEW LION left when scooting clear at Chepstow on hurdling debut last month, so he's fancied to maintain his unbeaten record for the red-hot Skelton outfit. Califet en Vol clearly learnt from his bumper effort back in the spring when bolting up on return/hurdling debut at Kempton recently, so he looks the obvious danger, with French Ship taken to fill out third.