Crest Environmental Services 25th Anniversary Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:31 | Winning time: 6m 10.29s

In The Age¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| BF

11/4

£100,000 Irish point recruit who made a winning start for new connections in Southwell bumper last winter. Off 8 months, held up in a race not run to suit such tactics when fifth on 2½m Aintree hurdle debut 17 days ago. Up in trip. Sure to progress for leading yard.

Form: 1/13-5

Jacks Parrot^p,t²⁰¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Smith⁽⁷⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 119

5/2

Only modest form in 2 hurdle outings in France at the start of his career but has shown fairly useful winning form over fences since coming to Britain. First outing for 6 months.

Form: 1/72435-

Pragnell²⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 111| BF

6/1

Point winner who showed fair form when reaching the frame in 2½m maiden hurdles on his first 2 outings under Rules. Beaten before stamina was an issue when distant fourth in 3m Chepstow maiden hurdle in April. Off since.

Form: 1/424-

Skuna Bay²⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115

9/2

Placed in points and reached the frame in 3 maiden hurdles last season, posting best effort when 3 lengths second at Wetherby (2½m, soft) on final start. Likely to stay 3m.

Form: 32/342-

Firm But Fair²⁰⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham

7/2

£60,000 purchase after finishing third in an Irish point in April. Could have a big say now hurdling for a new yard in flying form.

Form: 3-

Forecasts

Jacks Parrot (5/2), In The Age (11/4), Firm But Fair (7/2), Skuna Bay (9/2), Pragnell (6/1)

IN THE AGE is better than he could show on last month's Aintree hurdle debut and can come good at the second time of asking in this sphere, perhaps at the expense of Harry Derham point recruit Firm But Fair.