Betfair Supports Safer Gambling Week Newton Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:10 | Winning time: 3m 44.06s

Sticktotheplan⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 143| D

1/1

Highly progressive in 2025 for Cormac Farrell, signing off with an emphatic victory in 2m Listed novice hurdle at Galway in July. Hood fitted and continued the excellent work in Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow last month. Penalised but still sets the clear standard

Form: 8-21211

Diamond Hunter³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon| D

12/1

Runner-up 3 of 4 starts in 3m Irish points and relished underfoot conditions when galloping rivals into submission on hurdles debut at Plumpton a fortnight ago. Bare form nothing to get excited by but he did it easily.

Form: 2P22-1

Double Measure¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

7/2

€105,000 purchase who looked a good prospect when winning a Uttoxeter bumper in March. Easy to back and shaped with plenty of promise on hurdles debut at Chepstow 17 days ago, not knocked about once chance of winning had gone. Lots more to come.

Form: 1-2

Jony R²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Ewing| T: S R B Crawford

28/1

Well held in a strong bumper on debut but did much better when third on hurdle debut at Ayr (2m) in January. Too free at Navan next time but cashed in on an errant round of jumping from odds-on favourite when landing 15-runner novice at Down Royal 3 weeks ago. Up against it.

Form: 0/37-1

Masked Man⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: J J Slevin| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| D

11/4

Masked Marvel gelding. Half-brother to 3 winners, including useful hurdlers Batman Girac and Rajsalad. Dam French hurdler/chaser (winner around 2m). Successful pointer who outclassed 13 rivals in a novice hurdle at Chepstow last month. Will leave bare form behind.

Form: 11

The Egyptian Ginge^h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Jamie Neild| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

80/1

Fair form in bumpers last season, narrowly denied at Ludlow on final outing. However, after 6 months off (in first-time hood) he faced a stiff task sent hurdling when 8 lengths last of 5 to Give It To Me Oj at Cheltenham in October. This should reveal more for all this isn't any easier.

Form: 942-5

Forecasts

Sticktotheplan (1/1), Masked Man (11/4), Double Measure (7/2), Diamond Hunter (12/1), Jony R (28/1), The Egyptian Ginge (80/1)

Several smart prospects square off and while STICKTOTHEPLAN has to concede 5 lb all round, he created a very good impression when a winner at this level for his new yard last month so he may well be up to the challenge. Above-average improvement is surely forthcoming from Double Measure, while Masked Man is useful in his own right.