GL Events Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 3m 50.57s

Military Alliance¹⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| D

3/1

A fair ex-Irish maiden on Flat who made a winning start for new yard in 12-runner novice at Hereford (16.2f, good) in April. That form has worked out really well so he's a player on his return with better to come.

Form: 5/1-

Start Again^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Kielan Woods| T: F O'Brien| OR: 103

7/1

Advanced his form under a change of tactics when making all in 6-runner novice hurdle at Exeter (18.5f, good) 11 days ago. This demands another sizeable step forward though.

Form: 272-371

Directly³³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: S Drinkwater

28/1

66/1, hinted at promise when fifth of 6 in novice at Leicester (15.5f, heavy) on his hurdles bow 11 months ago. This is no easy return after an absence however.

Form: 45-

Soomaroy²³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

4/9

€42,000 3-y-o, £190,000 4-y-o, No Risk At All gelding. Half-brother to French 11f/1½m winner Version Cox. Won his sole start in Irish points in March and yard has very good record in this so he's of obvious interest on his hurdling debut.

Form: 1-

Gower Spirit⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Stan Sheppard| T: M Sheppard

80/1

Third in a Hereford bumper for Henrietta Knight but pulled up on yard/hurdling debut at Cheltenham (2m, 200/1) recently. Hard to warm to.

Form: 93-P

Non-Runners

Trustintimes¹⁴⁰

Weight: 11-10| Age: 4

T: H Fry J: Bryan Carver

Ice In The Veins³⁶

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: D Skelton J: Tristan Durrell

Forecasts

Soomaroy (4/9), Military Alliance (3/1), Trustintimes (5/1), Ice In The Veins (6/1), Start Again (7/1), Directly (28/1), Gower Spirit (80/1)

Nicky Henderson has captured this prize with some very promising sorts and his Irish point scorer SOOMAROY is taken to make a winning start in this sphere and add to that list. Harry Derham's Hereford victor Military Alliance rates the pick of those with hurdling experience and appeals as the chief threat, although Ice In The Veins could take a step forward now reverted to 2m and also commands plenty of respect.