TrustATrader Apply Today EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 5m 16.50s

Belliano⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Freddie Gingell⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 122

4/9

Black Sam Bellamy gelding who was purchased for £255,000 after easily winning his sole outing in Irish points. Made an encouraging start to his career under Rules behind potentially top-class The New Lion at Chepstow (19.4f) before going one better at Ascot. Big player under a penalty.

Form: 1-21

I'm A Lumberjack⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 124| D

11/4

Fairly useful bumper performer who confirmed hurdling debut promise when running out a tidy winner of 11-runner maiden hurdle (6/5) at Warwick (21f, soft) 54 days ago, suited by the longer trip. That performance is backed up by the timefigure and he's likely to progress further.

Form: 2639-21

Silver Thorn³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Jones| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 118

10/1

Reached the frame in 2 bumpers and made a successful hurdling debut in a 2¾m Stratford maiden (heavy) in October. Not disgraced in a much stronger race at Newbury but proved a little disappointment back in calmer waters upped to a trip that should've suited at Southwell (24.3f) last time.

Form: 42-153

Espoir Des Forges⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley| OR: 112

28/1

Promise when placed in pair of 19f Warwick maiden hurdles during the spring. However, he proved to be something of a let-down when only seventh on his reappearance at Chepstow. Bounce back required.

Form: P3-27

Non-Runners

Frisby³⁸

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: P Neville J: Henry Brooke

Forecasts

Belliano (4/9), I'm A Lumberjack (11/4), Silver Thorn (10/1), Frisby (12/1), Espoir Des Forges (28/1)

I'M A LUMBERJACK confirmed the promise of his hurdling debut in tidy fashion at Warwick and, with the performance supported by the timefigure, he's taken to defy a penalty at the first time of asking with the sharp nature of this track more likely to play to his strengths than perhaps Belliano's, whose long-term future surely lies back over further having taken time to wear down the leader over an extended 21f at Ascot on his most recent outing.