Play At The Races StableDuel Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 11.25s

Escapologist³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Mr Alex Chadwick⁽⁵⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 121| D

5/2

Steadily progressive in bumpers for Joe Ponting and much improved for James Owen, well-backed when producing a polished display to land a Fakenham maiden (2m4f) on stable debut in January. Improved (unsuited by a muddling race) when second over same C&D the following month. Looks the one to beat.

Form: 74312

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Jack Hyde¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 114| C

11/10

Irish point winner made it third time lucky in bumpers (for Thomas Gallagher) in January 2023. Off the mark on third start in maiden hurdles at Southwell (15.8f) two weeks ago, needing to be firmly driven to justify odds-on favouritism. Step up in trip may bring about further improvement.

Form: 631/431

Monaco Rules⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 112

18/1

Fairly useful on the Flat in France and made a winning start to hurdling for Francois Nicolle at Cholet in October. After 2 quieter runs for current connections, posted his best effort on these shores when third in a novice hurdle at Newcastle (20.3f) 48 days ago. Will need to step forward again.

Form: 1533

South Omo Zone²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

16/5

Bumper winner for Anthony Charlton in January 2024 but has seemingly been hard to keep right since. Landed a Wincanton maiden (15.2f) on reappearance/stable debut in January but ran poorly the following month on testing ground at Exeter. Lightly-raced and not ruled out if back on song.

Form: P27/1-1P

Little Big Kev^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: R T Phillips

40/1

Runner-up on his only start in points and fair form in bumpers. Two runs in novice/maiden hurdles suggest he may be one for handicapping down the line, latest effort well-below form when fifth of 12 at Doncaster (19.4f). Others preferred.

Form: 23-4655

Little Dipper¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley

33/1

Made a promising hurdling debut when third of 9 in novice at Southwell (15.8f, soft) in February but went backwards from that effort quite emphatically on second start in this sphere. While this longer trip is likely to suit, he is difficult to fancy strongly considering his most recent effort.

Form: 4-437

Tommy Tucker³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: William Shanahan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Fierro

200/1

Having unseated at the first hurdle on debut, showed very little when pulled up on second start last month. Isn't one to be interested in.

Form: UP

Forecasts

Jack Hyde (11/10), Escapologist (5/2), South Omo Zone (16/5), Monaco Rules (18/1), Little Dipper (33/1), Little Big Kev (40/1), Tommy Tucker (200/1)

ESCAPOLOGIST has looked a different proposition since joining James Owen and with more improvement anticipated, he looks the one they all have to beat. A winner on hurdles debut, the lightly-raced South Omo Zone could pose a threat if back on song after disappointing on testing ground at Exeter last month, while Jack Hyde should appreciate this step up in distance.