Leicester Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 11.09s

Home Made Hero³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| D

7/4

Successful pointer got his career under Rules off to an impressive start when a ready winner of a 9-runner novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (19.9f, soft) last month, justifying support Sure to progress and likely to go well under a penalty.

Form: 2P/1-1

Karma Police³⁰⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Ben Sutton⁽⁵⁾| T: Harry Derham

15/2

Bought for £105,000 after winning a 2-finisher point and nearly justified support on Rules debut when a narrow second in a 9-runner bumper at Fontwell (17.7f, soft) in January. Should progress now sent hurdling over a longer trip.

Form: 1/2-

Kastellion²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Mrs M Rowley

40/1

£31,000 buy after runner-up sole start in Irish points in April. Showed up for a long way (headed after 3 out) when sixth (28/1) in a 10-runner Chepstow novice (19.4f) earlier this month. Should come on for that run and will do better at some stage.

Form: 2-6

Lon Chaney³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

7/2

Pushed a subsequent bumper winner close on final start in points. Well supported but hinted at temperament when fifth on hurdle debut at Ffos Las (20f) last month, going in snatches. In excellent hands though, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him take a step forward.

Form: U7/2-5

Swindon Village³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon

13/8

Winning pointer who was highly tried after making a winning bumper debut last season. Shaped well sent hurdling when third on reappearance at Ffos Las (20f) last month, catching the eye with how he went through the race. Leading contender with improvement expected.

Form: 2/136-3

Non-Runners

Le Fabuleux Buck's³⁶

Weight: 10-13| Age: 4

T: M Keighley J: Freddie Keighley

Forecasts

Swindon Village (13/8), Home Made Hero (7/4), Lon Chaney (7/2), Karma Police (15/2), Le Fabuleux Buck's (33/1), Kastellion (40/1)

SWINDON VILLAGE made a promising hurdles debut last month and he's narrowly preferred to Home Made Hero, who carries a penalty for his impressive success at Uttoxeter, while Karma Police looks a good jumps prospect for the Harry Derham yard.