Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 519 Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 6.52s

Diva Luna²⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling

4/11

Runner-up on her only outing in points and she looked a smart prospect when readily landing bumpers at Market Rasen (listed) and Aintree last winter. Most interesting hurdling debutante.

Form: 211-

Goddess Afrana³³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Lorcan Murtagh| T: N J Hawke

150/1

Fracas filly who ran to only a modest level in pair of bumpers at Newbury/Uttoxeter during the spring and well held sent hurdling at Chepstow last month.

Form: 53-5

Jasmine D'airy²¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁵⁾| T: Harry Derham

10/1

Runner-up both starts in points prior to readily landing a Tipperary bumper for Sam Curling 7 months ago. Has joined good yard (for £120,000) and must enter calculations on her first go over hurdles.

Form: 22-1

Metkayina²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: G Sheehan| T: Noel Williams| D

10/3

Impressive winner of a Ludlow bumper for Sam Curling last November. Shaped well when second of 6 in novice hurdle here (19.5f, good) on her hurdles bow 27 days ago. Player.

Form: 314-2

Northern Air³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien

14/1

Had breathing surgery before posting a promising second of 12 in novice hurdle at Ayr (16f, good to soft) 37 days ago. Can do better still so is very much one to consider.

Form: 162-2

The Secret Pearl^t1³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Bannister| T: A M Hales

150/1

A fair bumper performer but she failed to match that level when third of 7 in novice at Ludlow (21.2f, good to soft) on her hurdles bow 32 days ago. Tongue strap goes on now with more needed.

Form: 2/2450-3

Non-Runners

Everest²³

Weight: 11-3| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: N F Houlihan

Forecasts

Diva Luna (4/11), Metkayina (10/3), Jasmine D'airy (10/1), Northern Air (14/1), Everest (20/1), The Secret Pearl (150/1), Goddess Afrana (150/1)

Ben Pauling's DIVA LUNA created an excellent impression when going 2-2 in bumpers last winter so is fancied to go in at the first time of asking in this sphere. Fellow hurdling debutante Jasmine d'Airy also brings plenty of potential and could emerge as the main danger, although Metkayina made a promising start when runner-up here and can also have a say. Northern Air and Everest can't be discounted either in an intriguing maiden.