Payne Crop Nutrition Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 2.41s

High Court Judge¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 108| D

5/2

Eight-time winner at a modest level on the Flat (all on AW) and improved with each run over hurdles, outgunning his much shorter priced stablemate in 6-runner maiden at Huntingdon (15.8f) 12 days ago. Big player under a penalty with his rider again taking off a handy 5 lb.

Form: 7-41

Howth^h,t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey

8/13

Fairly useful staying handicapper on Flat for Michael Appleby who made the perfect start for new yard/after 7 months off when landing 6-runner maiden hurdle at Market Rasen (16.6f) 23 days ago. Helped by the run of the race then but he still appeals as the type to improve.

Form: 1

Francesi³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: J M Quinlan| T: S Woods

28/1

Fair on Flat (stays 9.5f) and largely held form well in AW handicaps since returning this spring. Overall strike rate in that sphere leaves a lot to be desired though, so this switch to hurdling needs to have a positive effect.

Form:

Alvesta¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: M Crawley| OR: 93

6/1

Modest maiden handicapper on Flat (stays 1½m). Similar form in trio of starts in this sphere, still showing signs of inexperience when fourth of 7 in handicap hurdle at Huntingdon (15.8f) 12 days ago. Booking of Sean Bowen rates a plus back in novice company and she's not discounted.

Form: 2-44

Forecasts

Howth (8/13), High Court Judge (5/2), Alvesta (6/1), Francesi (28/1)

A fairly useful stayer on the Flat, HOWTH made the perfect start for his new yard when landing a Market Rasen maiden 23 days ago and he could well be up to defying a penalty with improvement anticipated. High Court Judge opened his hurdles account at Huntingdon 12 days ago and is a lead threat with Ben Bromley taking off a handy 5 lb. That said, Alvesta can't be dismissed either back in novice company in receipt of weight all round.