Weatherbys Racing Bank Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:08 | Winning time: 4m 3.65s

Wolf Moon³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 121| D

1/3

Pether's Moon gelding belied 50/1 odds in making a promising start under Rules when second in C&D novice hurdle in January. Confirmed that promise under a change of tactics when scoring at Southwell last month and there's better to come. Leading player carrying a penalty.

Form: 721

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Snitterfield¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: J Coulson

200/1

No better than mid-field in bumpers/maiden hurdles so hard to envisage him featuring this side of handicaps.

Form: 5666

Galactic Charm^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 120

11/4

Fairly useful Flat performer who went one better than on hurdling debut when scoring at Fontwell on Boxing Day. Out of his depth next start but back on song in headgear for the first time over hurdles when runner-up at Sandown (16f, good to soft) earlier in the month. Big chance.

Form: 21P2

Walkingtheline⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Cameron Iles⁽⁷⁾| T: T Lacey

16/1

From the family of a useful chaser and has shown ability in making the frame in a couple of Uttoxeter bumpers. Possibly unsuited by softer ground than previously in a C&D bumper back in January and now makes her hurdling debut. Market check advised.

Form: 436

Gregorians Star^t1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: M Goldstein| T: Miss S West| D

20/1

Knew what was required when making a winning start in a Ludlow bumper in November. Well beaten in a listed event at Cheltenham 8 weeks later and little to shout about on both efforts in this sphere last month. Looks one for handicaps after this. Tongue tie applied.

Form: 1055

Non-Runners

Dartmouth Rose³⁹

Weight: 10-12| Age: 5

T: M Crawley J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Wolf Moon (1/3), Galactic Charm (11/4), Walkingtheline (16/1), Gregorians Star (20/1), Dartmouth Rose (33/1), Snitterfield (200/1)

A potential match between GALACTIC CHARM and Wolf Moon, with preference for the former who quickly got back to form in a more suitable grade when finishing runner-up at Sandown 11 days ago. Ben Pauling's 5-y-o is open to further improvement, but conceding 10 lb to the selection may well prove beyond him. Hurdling-debutante Walkingtheline rounds off the shortlist.