Betfair Winter Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 3f 178y | 5 Runners | Turf

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

Point winner who scored impressively in a Warwick bumper on Rules debut a year ago. Acquitted himself well in Champion Bumper at Cheltenham next time, before making an excellent impression when winning Hyde Novices' Hurdle back at Cheltenham on hurdles bow 3 weeks ago. Leading claims.

Form: 1/19-1

Crackerjacque¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| C

20/1

From a family this yard know well and left debut form behind when winning a heavy-ground Sandown bumper in February. Well held in Grade 2 at Aintree in April, but comfortably landed the odds in a Fontwell novice (17.7f, good to soft) on hurdling debut 19 days ago. This is much tougher.

Form: 510-1

The Blue Room³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

15/2

Runner-up sole outing in Irish points and built on promise of first 2 starts in bumpers when opening account at Ffos Las in April. Made a successful start over hurdles when landing a Chepstow maiden (16.1f, soft) on return and there's better still to come as he goes up in trip.

Form: 2/241-1

Top Jimmy³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 124| D

14/1

Some promise when fourth in a pair of bumpers for Fergal O'Brien and made a winning stable/hurdling debut at Uttoxeter (15.7f) in October. Readily followed up in novice at the same course (19.9f, soft) later the same month, jumping well, and he's open to further improvement.

Form: 44-11

Tormund Giantsbane³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

10/3

Point winner and was successful on first of 2 starts in bumpers last season. After 11 months off, justified support with something in hand when winning novice at Carlisle (20f, soft) on hurdling debut in November, just shaken up to assert. Looks well worth his place at this level.

Form: 1/12-1

Forecasts

No Drama This End (1/2), Tormund Giantsbane (7/2), The Blue Room (7/1), Top Jimmy (20/1), Crackerjacque (20/1)

A point and bumper winner, NO DRAMA THIS END looked an exciting prospect when landing a Grade 2 novice at Cheltenham on hurdling debut last month, impressing with how he travelled into contention, and he is taken to follow up with the potential of plenty more to offer. Tormund Giantsbane also made a winning start over hurdles in good style and is feared most, ahead of The Blue Room.