Racing Partnership Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 10.10s

Knights Affair²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden

9/4

Fairly useful handicapper on Flat (stays 2m) for David O'Meara, successful twice in 2024. Perfect start to hurdles career when landing a maiden at Huntingdon (20.7f, good) last month and, with the likelihood of better to come from him in this sphere, he is the one to beat.

Form: 1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Chief Black Robe⁴⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Tom Broughton⁽⁵⁾| T: F Brennan| OR: 103| C

7/1

Four-time winner over fences, but 0-9 in this sphere and readily passed over on debut for new yard following a significant absence.

Form: 11423P/

Highway Hero^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore

13/2

No show both starts under Rules to date, including when pulled up on hurdles debut at Fontwell last summer. Recently opened account between the flags, but record in that sphere is hardly compelling (1-16) and it was a narrow verdict in a 3-runner race.

Form: P7634-1

Keel Strand^t1¹⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F NichollsWS

1/1

Runner-up sole start in Irish points and stepped up on low-key Rules debut when fourth of 13 starting out over hurdles at Wincanton (19.8f, soft) in December. Said to have made a respiratory noise when safely held upped to 23.8f at Ludlow next time and since undergone a wind op. Tongue strap added.

Form: 2/745-

Locked Down Lad¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryan Carver| T: J Tickle

150/1

Successful on sole outing in point bumpers, but he has offered very little in 2 starts under Rules.

Form: 16/P

Mr Daytona^t1²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: James Davies| T: N J Gifford

150/1

Underwent a wind op ahead of month's debut in 2m Plumpton maiden hurdle, producing an effort that was devoid of any immediate promise. Now moves up in trip with a first-time tongue strap enlisted.

Form: P

Oval Street^p²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes| OR: 78

12/1

Multiple point winner who remains winless following 12 attempts under Rules. Latest fourth of 10 in an 18.5f handicap here was one of his better efforts, though, and he could pick up minor place money here if able to reproduce that form.

Form: 2/3679-4

Forecasts

Keel Strand (1/1), Knights Affair (9/4), Highway Hero (13/2), Chief Black Robe (7/1), Oval Street (12/1), Mr Daytona (150/1), Locked Down Lad (150/1)

Despite being easy-to-back KNIGHTS AFFAIR emerged on top starting out over hurdles at Huntingdon last month and he looks capable of defying a penalty in a race of this nature. Keel Strand has undergone a wind op following a rather underwhelming display at Ludlow and, if able to belatedly build on his debut promise in this sphere, he is by far the one most likely to make a race of it with the selection. Oval Street is likely to claim minor honours.