Virtus FM Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:20 | Winning time: 4m 52.58s

Atlantic Lad²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 114| D

11/4

Lightly-raced sort who opened his account in 9-runner novice hurdle at Bangor (19.6f, heavy 27 days ago, always holding on. Very much one to consider despite shouldering a 7 lb penalty.

Form: 2322-31

Cold Henry¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Aiden Blakemore⁽⁷⁾| T: Sara Ender

33/1

Modest Flat winner who wasn't disgraced when fourth of 8 in novice hurdle at Hexham (20.1f, heavy) on NH debut 16 days ago. May do better still. No forlorn hope.

Form: 4

Dalston Lad^p1²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton

4/9

Winning pointer/bumper who took a big step forward from his hurdling bow when a clear second of 6 in novice hurdle at Doncaster (20.8f, good to soft) 28 days ago. Big shout with headgear added and more progress on the cards.

Form: 1/110-72

Daly Boy²⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

13/2

£60,000 purchase after finishing runner-up in an Irish point last December and showed promise when third in an Ayr bumper on heavy in March. Should be up to making his presence felt now going hurdling.

Form: 23-

Loulou Madrik²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: M Walford

50/1

Maiden Irish pointer who came in a well-held eighth of 14 in novice hurdle (125/1) at Wetherby (16f, soft) on his NH debut 20 days ago. Up in trip with lots more needed.

Form: F7-458

Perfectot^h,t1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: R P McLernon| T: R Menzies

66/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 40/1 and hooded for 1st time, last of 4 in novice hurdle over C&D (soft) on her hurdles bow 21 days ago. Significantly more is required with tongue stap now fitted.

Form: 33-04

Forecasts

Dalston Lad (4/9), Atlantic Lad (11/4), Daly Boy (13/2), Cold Henry (33/1), Loulou Madrik (50/1), Perfectot (66/1)

DALSTON LAD shaped well when runner-up at Doncaster last time and with better still to come from Dan Skelton's son of Ocovango he looks ready to add to his previous points and bumper successes. Hurdling debutant Daly Boy brings a fair bit of potential and could emerge as the main danger, although Bangor scorer Atlantic Lad also has the form to play a part.