bet365 Scottish Supreme Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:22 | Winning time: 3m 45.27s

Clap Of Thunder^h1³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 119| D

11/2

Placed on 3 of 4 starts in bumpers last season. Struck in a 2m Ascot novice in November and shaped better when result when fifth of 15 in 2m Cheltenham handicap a fortnight later. Too keen when third at Chepstow in December and claims here if first-time hood has the desired effect.

Form: 52-4153

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Evaluation^t⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: P W Wadge| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| CD

28/1

Useful handicapper on Flat (stays 16.5f) who made a seamless transition to hurdles when landing 2m Ayr novice in November. May of found race coming too soon when last of 6 at Newcastle (22f) later that month and he's certainly not one to be writing off.

Form: 16

Tripoli Flyer⁶⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien| OR: 126| D

2/5

Most progressive in bumpers last season (runner-up at Grade 2 level). Highly encouraging start in this sphere when second in a Chepstow maiden (2m) in November and made most of good opportunity when going one place better at Market Rasen later that month. Plenty more to come.

Form: 512-21

Midnight Potter¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: A Keatley

200/1

Failed to settle and ultimately well held on bumper debut at Wetherby in December and low-key hurdles debut run followed at Market Rasen 16 days ago, tailing off after 3 out having again raced freely. Can only be watched in this even deeper contest.

Form: 8P

Soldier In Mayo¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

66/1

£40,000 4-y-o, Soldier of Fortune gelding. Successful on second of 2 starts in Irish points (Nov 3) and offered something to work on when fourth of 8 in a Newcastle bumper (16.9f) 17 days ago. No reason why he won't make his mark in this sphere, for all this looks a tough enough introduction.

Form: 314

Travis Wheatley³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Danny McMenamin| T: B Ellison

80/1

Point winner in May and shaped encouragingly switched to Rules when second in Newcastle bumper in October. Offered more than on hurdles debut when fourth of 5 in a Catterick novice (15.7f) 32 days ago but this demands a good deal more.

Form: 1244

Cloonainra¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Harvey| T: J C McConnell| OR: 124

7/2

Debut winner who did very well under the circumstances when second in a big-field Leopardstown handicap (2m) over Christmas, badly hampered early. Backed up that performance when second in Haydock Grade 2 (15.6f) 2 weeks ago and she's a player here in receipt of weight all round.

Form: 1-13422

Forecasts

Tripoli Flyer (2/5), Cloonainra (7/2), Clap Of Thunder (11/2), Evaluation (28/1), Soldier In Mayo (66/1), Travis Wheatley (80/1), Midnight Potter (200/1)

Most progressive in bumpers, TRIPOLI FLYER made the most of a good opportunity when opening his account over hurdles at the second attempt at Market Rasen in November. Appealing as the type to rate significantly higher in this sphere, he can take this rise in class in his stride and follow up. Cloonainra is fancied to pose the chief threat following her good second in Grade 2 company at Haydock 2 weeks ago, with Clap of Thunder next best.