Betfair Exchange Claremont Novices' Hurdle (Listed) (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:08 | Winning time: 4m 27.03s

Cresta Cat³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| BF

18/1

Fairly useful on the Flat, recording a hat-trick of low-grade handicaps at up to 1½m in October. Bred to make a hurdler but this looks a tough starting point, what with several promising types in opposition.

Form:

Hartington³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 115| D

5/2

Shaped like more of a handicap prospect on first 2 starts in this sphere but well worth his place in this grade having improved markedly when landing a decent Newbury novice (16.3f, good to soft) last month. Merits respect.

Form: 453-51

Mount Gay Run³⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Joe Anderson| T: Kieran Burke

50/1

From a good jumping family but just minor promise in couple of Chepstow bumpers for Paul Nicholls last winter. Huge step forward will be needed if he's to make an impact at this level on hurdles debut.

Form: 45-

Epinephrine⁴²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| BF

6/1

Half-sister to 4 winners and shaped well when third in newcomers' race at Auteuil on hurdles debut last October, finishing 7 lengths behind winner Kamsinea, who landed a Grade 2 on her next start. Subsequently changed hands for €100,000 and she's an intriguing candidate on debut for new yard.

Form: 3-

Honky Tonk Highway¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| CD

4/6

Listed bumper winner on Rules debut here in March. Never in the hunt in Aintree Grade 2 the following month but subsequently underwent a wind op and well clear of the rest when chasing home a smart prospect on return/hurdles bow at Warwick (19f, soft). Major player.

Form: 110-2

Non-Runners

Admiral Stewart¹

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: Jamie Snowden J: Non Runner

Juby Ball³⁰⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: Evan Williams J: G Sheehan

Forecasts

Honky Tonk Highway (4/6), Admiral Stewart (9/4), Hartington (5/2), Juby Ball (4/1), Epinephrine (6/1), Cresta Cat (18/1), Mount Gay Run (50/1)

Several promising types on show, with HONKY TONK HIGHWAY the pick on the back of a highly encouraging hurdles debut second to a potentially smart novice at Warwick. The bumper she landed here in March was a decent contest (the second and third have both won over hurdles since) and she is open to plenty of improvement. French recruit Epinephrine is of strong interest, while Hartington, who improved when scoring at Newbury, and bumper winner Juby Ball also enter calculations.