bet365 Scottish Stayers' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 5m 44.88s

Bold Light³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Alan Doyle| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 123| C

13/2

8-y-o showed much improved form when running out an emphatic winner of 6-runner handicap hurdle at this course (19.8f, soft, 7/2) on New Year's Day, forging clear. Further step up in trip likely to suit and can't be taken lightly.

Form: 2/2-3131

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Intense Approach⁹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen| T: J C McConnell| OR: 133| D

5/4

Dual bumper winner who was good enough to overcome ongoing jumping issues when landing maiden/novice events late summer. Fine second in Persian War at Chepstow before resuming winning ways up in trip at Cheltenham (3m). Has had a nice break since and seems sure to go well.

Form: F21121

Pigeon House^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 125

12/1

Won twice over hurdles (at up to 18.2f) when trained by Jessie Harrington. Has finished runner-up all three outings for current yard and it's possibly he'll find at least one too good again upped markedly in trip.

Form: 61P222

Smokeringinthedark⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| C

5/2

Runner-up in his only outing in Irish points and showed a good attitude in going one better 4-runner maiden hurdle at this course (19.8f, good to soft) on NH debut 54 days ago. The runner-up has franked that form since and he's open to improvement stepping up in trip.

Form: 21

Gale Mahler^p⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Craig Nichol| T: A Keatley| OR: 127

5/1

Likeable mare who made it 6 wins on the spin in listed hurdle at Galway (2m) in July. Below par on her last three runs though, seeming not to stay the longer trip when tailed off in listed race at Doncaster last time. Usual cheekpieces back on but something to prove at present.

Form: 111234

Non-Runners

Joecooker⁵²

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: R Menzies J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Intense Approach (5/4), Smokeringinthedark (5/2), Gale Mahler (5/1), Joecooker (5/1), Bold Light (13/2), Pigeon House (12/1)

INTENSE APPROCH made his first start at around this trip a winning one at Cheltenham in October and, having had a nice break since, he makes plenty of appeal in his follow-up bid. Smokeringinthedark knuckled down well to hold off a subsequent winner on his Rules debut here in December and is open to plenty of improvement stepping up in trip, while Joecooker is another who promises to be suited by the extra distance and can continue on an upward curve.