Neo Business Finance Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 4m 13.69s

Excelero¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 117| D

1/2

Runner-up at Warwick on debut, then chased home Sir Gino at Cheltenham (fourth) before scoring at Market Rasen in March. Shaped as if needing the run after 7 months off on handicap debut at Newbury (16.3f) recently and remains a potential improver back in a novice (carries a penalty).

Form: 241-39

Atlantic Lad⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr

5/2

Had finished a well-held second on the second of 2 starts in points earlier in the year and, despite being at long odds, made an encouraging debut in this sphere when third of 14 in novice hurdle over C&D (heavy) in October. Can be expected to build on that here.

Form: 423

Bobby's Fortune¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams

150/1

Bought out of Tjade Collier's yard for just £3,000 and made a winning start in a Ludlow bumper (15.8f, soft) in October 2023. Safely held on hurdles debut at Kempton the following month and couldn't be said to have shaped with any promise after 13 months off at Hereford recently.

Form: 316-P

Bo Cruz³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

125/1

Had finished runner-up on his completed start in Irish points but achieved nothing on his debut under Rules in maiden hurdle at Carlisle last month. Needs to leave that well behind.

Form: P2-6

Good Company³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Fergus Gillard| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

33/1

Dragon Dancer gelding who hinted at ability prior to his departure (also unseated rider on way to start) when falling 2 out in novice hurdle at this C&D (soft) on debut last month. Yard going great guns but he's possibly one for later on.

Form: F

Law Of The Sea⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Reed| T: Ian Williams

13/2

Fairly useful staying handicapper on the Flat who was given a considerate introduction to hurdling when seventh of 13 at Uttoxeter (15.8f) in October. Duly improved for that when fifth at Chepstow later that month and is the type to progress further in this sphere.

Form: 75

Adaaylight Dancer⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: David Bass| T: H D DalyWS

200/1

A prolific winner on the Flat in Spain but offered little on yard/hurdling debut after 15 months off at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good to soft) 6 weeks ago. Had a wind op since and it's easy to look elsewhere.

Form: P

Forecasts

Excelero (1/2), Atlantic Lad (5/2), Law Of The Sea (13/2), Good Company (33/1), Bo Cruz (125/1), Bobby's Fortune (150/1), Adaaylight Dancer (200/1)

EXCELERO shaped as if needing the run on return/handicap debut at Newbury recently and, back down in grade, Jane Williams' charge has an excellent opportunity to double her career tally. Atlantic Lad made an encouraging debut in this sphere when third over C&D in October so heads up the opposition, with Law of The Sea another potential improver having had just a couple of starts over hurdles.