Strawmax Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 5m 15.6s

He's A Diamond¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: Micky Hammond| D

9/1

Left bumper form behind when taking 5-runner novice hurdle at Market Rasen (20.6f, good to firm, 20/1) on hurdles debut in March. That wasn't a strong race and he was well held at Carlisle 18 days ago.

Form: 2/89416-

Blazing Court⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr John Dixon⁽⁷⁾| T: J E Dixon| OR: 96

10/3

Steadily progressive over fences for Martin Keighley last summer and posted creditable effort for new yard over the smaller obstacles at Ayr in November. Fared about as well as could be expected back in a novice when third of 6 at Carlisle.

Form: P/32163-

Just Oot²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Henry Brooke| T: S Corbett| OR: 103

11/8

Down the field in 2 bumpers but showed a good deal more on return/hurdles bow when third in maiden hurdle at Hexham in March. Matched that effort back over that C&D 3 weeks ago and looks ready for this trip. One to beat.

Form: 50/34-

Lucky Manifest⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Ewart

2/1

Modest form in 2 bumpers and a maiden hurdle in Ireland last summer. Placed in a point after and prominent in the betting, he shaped as if amiss for new yard in March.

Form: 8673P-

Wild Reiver³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: I Jardine

28/1

Failed to beat a rival in 2 bumpers 3 months apart (had wind operation after debut) and fared little better sent hurdling.

Form: 678-

Delayed Charm^t¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Peter Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 75

50/1

Showed little on the Flat for Anthony Carson and same story over hurdles.

Form: P87-

Forecasts

Just Oot (11/8), Lucky Manifest (2/1), Blazing Court (10/3), He's A Diamond (9/1), Wild Reiver (28/1), Delayed Charm (50/1)

Not a strong novice by any means but JUST OOT has achieved the most of these and promises to be well served by this step up in trip, so he's hard to get away from. Blazing Court is the obvious threat unless Lucky Manifest leaves behind his opening run for this stable.