weatherbysshop.co.uk Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 5m 30.35s

Kicour La^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| CD

4/7

£65,000 5-y-o, Nom De D'la gelding. Runner-up sole start in Irish points in February and perfect start switched to Rules fitted with a tongue strap when 6-runner C&D maiden hurdle 23 days ago, showing a good jumping technique. Big shout with prospect of more to come.

Form: 2-1

Arcadian Star²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Charlie Hammond| T: S Edmunds

9/1

Showed a bit only start in bumpers and better for hurdles debut when 12 lengths third of 6 to Kicour La in novice hurdle at this C&D (soft, 7/1) 23 days ago, ridden after 3 out and plodding on. Likely he can do better again, particularly in handicaps.

Form: 5-73

Livingit Du Large³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 114

3/1

Built on debut promise when landing the odds in 6-runner juvenile hurdle at Chepstow (2m, heavy) in January, despite jumping ponderously. Found things tougher on seasonal return when third of 5 in novice at Ffos Las (15.8f) 31 days ago but this increase in trip could well see him in a better light.

Form: 31-3

Our Bobby Dazzler²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs M Rowley

18/1

No better than mid-division in 2 bumpers back in the spring but he immediately bettered that form on return from 7 months off when 12 lengths fourth of 6 to Kicour La in novice hurdle at this C&D (soft) on hurdles bow 23 days ago. Likely to improve.

Form: 85-4

Holetown³⁹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117

14/1

Ex-French mare who scored twice over fences in 2023/24 (fair form). Exploits proved mixed over both sets of obstacles during second half of last year. Acquired by new connections for €50,000 thereafter and the betting can prove a useful guide following 13 months off.

Form: 4/68976-

Non-Runners

Hot To Go²³

Weight: 11-7| Age: 4

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Lil Fortune

Weight: 11-0| Age: 4

T: G Nicholls J: R T Dunne

Forecasts

Kicour La (4/7), Livingit Du Large (3/1), Hot To Go (6/1), Arcadian Star (9/1), Holetown (14/1), Lil Fortune (16/1), Our Bobby Dazzler (18/1)

KICOUR LA made the perfect start and displayed a good technique in the process when scoring on C&D hurdles bow 23 days ago. Expected to improve from that promising display, he's fancied to make a bold bid to defy a penalty and make it 2-2 under Rules. Fellow recent course winner Hot To Go and Livingit Du Large can emerge as the most potent threats.