BFBS Creative 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 4m 24.26s

Lawrenny¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J Candlish| OR: 120| BF| D

4/5

Progressive winner in bumpers. Showed the benefit of his initial experience over hurdles when landing a 2m novice at Wetherby and took a big step forward when going close under a penalty at Newcastle. Solid claims.

Form: 421-512

Jack The Nipper²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex

66/1

Jack Hobbs gelding who got outpaced when well held in bumper/maiden hurdle. More of a long-term prospect.

Form: 85

Lahinch Strand³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: M G Nolan| T: J W Mullins

150/1

Kayf Tara gelding. Brother to useful hurdler The Friday Man. Dam 2m-2½m hurdle winner (stayed 3m). Minor impact in a Newbury bumper over a year ago for Alan King and showed nothing tried hurdling on belated return for new yard at Exeter last month.

Form: 7-0

Tradecraft⁹⁵

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

4/1

Runner-up in bumpers at Ascot and Kempton last winter before struggling in good contest at the Punchestown Festival. Low-key start over hurdles over C&D on return but shaped as if needing the run and seems sure to do better.

Form: 220-6

Wannabe

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey

17/2

Fetched €72,000 as a 3-y-o and he's closely related to bumper winner/fairly useful hurdler Del La Mar Rocket. Yard in good form but are not renowned for winning with newcomers.

Form:

Le Tiep's Sacre¹¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore

7/2

Showed promise when placed in bumper/maiden hurdle in France for David Cottin and privately sold for €150,000 in November. Looks a serious player with a handy weight-for-age allowance, especially if there's confidence behind him.

Form: 3

Forecasts

Lawrenny (4/5), Le Tiep's Sacre (7/2), Tradecraft (4/1), Wannabe (17/2), Jack The Nipper (66/1), Lahinch Strand (150/1)

LE TIEP'S SACRE showed plenty when placed in a bumper/maiden hurdle in France and can take advantage of a handy weight-for-age allowance. The progressive Lawrenny is an obvious threat under a penalty, while Tradecraft looks sure to leave his hurdles debut behind.