Betfred Happy New Year EBF Junior 'National Hunt' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 4m 9.70s

Smart Decision³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: T D Easterby

9/2

Postponed gelding made a winning debut in 5-runner juvenile hurdle at Doncaster (5/1) 31 days ago. Well on top at the finish there so he's a player under a 7 lb penalty.

Form: 1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Eagles Reprieve²³

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| D

3/1

10/1, won 9-runner bumper at Wetherby on his NH debut 23 days ago. This son of Wings of Eagles must enter calculations now going over hurdles.

Form: 1

L'air Du Large⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| BF

22/1

Sent off 7/4 but he came in last of 4 in bumper at Market Rasen on debut 76 days ago. This No Risk At All gelding is in good hands so still needs considering on his hurdling bow.

Form: 4

The Resdev Tyke

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M & D Easterby

15/8

Schiaparelli gelding. Half-brother to dual bumper winner/fairly useful hurdler Moon Chime. The market can guide.

Form:

Itstonitejosephine

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

3/1

Jack Hobbs filly. Dam, unraced, from family of high-class hurdler/smart chaser L'Ami Serge. In top hands and makes plenty of appeal on paper. Interesting debutante.

Form:

Mystical Martika²³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

28/1

In need of the experience when a debut fifth of 9 to Eagles Reprieve in bumper at Wetherby on NH debut 23 days ago. Can take a step forward now going hurdling.

Form: 5

Non-Runners

Aotano³¹

Weight: 11-7| Age: 3

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Forecasts

The Resdev Tyke (15/8), Itstonitejosephine (3/1), Eagles Reprieve (3/1), Smart Decision (9/2), Aotano (5/1), L'air Du Large (22/1), Mystical Martika (28/1)

The market should reveal plenty but the vote goes to Nicky Henderson's ITSTONITEJOSEPHINE who appeals on pedigree and is fancied to make a winning start. Doncaster debut scorer Smart Decision rates a big threat though, with other hurdling newcomers Eagles Reprieve and L'Air du Large also much respected.