Watch Weekend Winners Powered By BetVictor 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:58 | Winning time: 5m 17.75s

Horaces Pearl⁹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien

5/6

One of the best around in bumpers last season, signing off with a Grade 2 win at Aintree, and proved a class apart on Huntingdon hurdling debut (15.8f, soft) in November. Open to significant improvement and he's a very strong candidate for this.

Form: 1/11-1

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Lud'or²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Jordan Nailor| T: T Symonds| OR: 120

13/2

French recruit who has done nothing wrong in 4 starts since crossing the Channel, most recently landing the odds in a 14-runner Wetherby maiden (19.7f, soft). Should continue to give a good account but up against highly promising types here in Horaces Pearl and Pierrot Jaguen.

Form: 52-2321

Pierrot Jaguen²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 124

7/4

Point winner who fetched plenty both times he's gone through the ring (£200,000 latest) and duly confirmed his Cheltenham debut promise when landing a 23f Lingfield maiden (soft) with any amount to spare late last month. Clearly a nice prospect and he's one to follow.

Form: 1-31

Dyno Dave¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Freddie Gordon⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson

22/1

Showed ability when fifth of 14 on belated debut in a Chepstow maiden (19.4f, heavy) recently, despite carrying his tail awkwardly (head carriage wasn't faultless either). Seemingly lacks the immediate potential of some of these rivals, though, and he's probably more one for the medium-to-long term.

Form: 5

Lightning Maqueen³³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J MooreWS

80/1

Showed promise in bumpers last year, particularly when third in a big-field contest at Kempton. Testing conditions perhaps to blame for low-key display at Fontwell last time but that was 11 months ago and he's entitled to come on for this hurdles debut.

Form: 535-

Forecasts

Horaces Pearl (5/6), Pierrot Jaguen (7/4), Lud'or (13/2), Dyno Dave (22/1), Lightning Maqueen (80/1)

A fascinating clash between highly promising novices PIERROT JAGUEN and Horaces Pearl. The latter proved to be one of the best bumper performers around last term and his hurdles debut success was brimming with promise. However, preference is for Pierrot Jaguen, who looked good at Lingfield and while it's likely that he will really come into his own over fences in due course, he nevertheless looks capable of making his mark in this sphere in the meantime. Lud'or can also make his presence felt.