bet365 Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 11:55 | Winning time: 4m 52.56s

Freshers Week³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 118

4/1

Won 4-runner race only start in Irish points in April and followed up over hurdles at Market Rasen (20.6f) on Rules debut (carries penalty). No match for fairly bright prospect at Ludlow next time but still early days and he's not the finished article yet.

Form: 1-12

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Real Quartz³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton

13/8

Cost £190,000 after easily winning a maiden point last November. Had a wind op ahead of his Rules/yard debut and justified strong support to win a 6-runner Carlisle novice (17f, soft) under hands-and-heels. Unexposed and likely capable of better upped in trip for excellent yard.

Form: 1-1

Name Me Nicely⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

11/2

Has looked in need of the experience on both starts to date, most recently when well held on hurdles debut at Fontwell (19.1f, good to soft) 51 days ago. Looks a longer-term project.

Form: 3/6-7

Uptown Dandy²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling

13/8

Bumper form had plenty of substance and made a promising start over hurdles when chasing home an improving sort at Wetherby (19.7f, soft) last month. Looks sure to progress.

Form: 233-2

Forecasts

Real Quartz (13/8), Uptown Dandy (13/8), Freshers Week (4/1), Name Me Nicely (11/2)

Expensive point winner REAL QUARTZ justified strong support when winning with a bit in hand on hurdle debut and can follow up under a penalty. Uptown Dandy looks the danger following a promising first effort over hurdles at Wetherby last month.