TrustATrader Approved And Reviewed Trades People EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 4m 42.39s

Excelero^h⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: David Noonan| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 120

4/1

A fairly useful hurdler who resumed winning ways in 7-runner novice at Bangor (16.7f, heavy) 58 days ago. Hood goes back on now and he's well in the mix.

Form: 241-391

Sorceleur^t³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 122| C

11/4

Progressive hurdler who scored here and at Wincanton in November before posting an excellent second of 6 in handicap hurdle at Taunton (19f, soft) 32 days ago. Big shout.

Form: 15-2112

Timmy Tuesday¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 122

5/2

Irish raider got off the mark on his handicap debut at Ayr (20.4f, soft) 19 days ago. Remains low mileage so he's a likely player.

Form: R3R/021

As The Fella Says²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 116| BF

9/4

Irish point winner who has made a good start in this sphere when runner-up in maidens at Warwick and here (2m) either side of Christmas. May do better still. Can go well again.

Form: 24-122

Top Guy¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

50/1

Points scorer who posted an encouraging debut fifth of 8 in novice hurdle at Doncaster (16.6f, good to soft) 16 days ago. Can build on it now.

Form: 72F15

Reel Orange²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: James Davies| T: C J Down

50/1

Placed twice in bumpers (for Sam Curling in Ireland first occasion) and took a step forward when third of 14 in 2m novice hurdle here 27 days ago. Needs another step forward though.

Form: 72353

Forecasts

As The Fella Says (9/4), Timmy Tuesday (5/2), Sorceleur (11/4), Excelero (4/1), Top Guy (50/1), Reel Orange (50/1)

None of these can be ruled out but SORCELEUR's form is on an upward curve so Paul Nicholls' son of Saint Des Saints gets the vote on the back of his excellent Taunton second last time out. Irish challenger Timmy Tuesday opened his account at Ayr last month and rates a big danger though, while As The Fella Says and Excelero also have the form to play a part in an intriguing maiden.