Betfred 'Goals Galore' EBF Junior 'National Hunt' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 3m 47.35s

Diamond Jim²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

9/4

Encouraging debut when finding only the well-backed favourite too good on debut in 16.7f junior hurdle at Bangor, in turn pulling well clear of the rest. Completely misfired in a listed contest at Aintree since, but was probably amiss that day and remains of interest in view of his debut promise.

Form: 27

Lucy The Wire³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: James Owen| OR: 104| D

11/4

Runner-up in a juvenile hurdle sole start for Denis Hogan in Ireland in October and duly went one better on debut for new yard at Leicester (15.5f, soft) the following month. Another bold show anticipated.

Form: 21

Marvel Magic⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| BF

12/1

Was shorter in the betting than stablemate/eventual winner Majordomo in a Newcastle bumper last month, but had to settle for fourth place. Likely to come into his own when faced with a stiffer test in time.

Form: 4

Pippin's Legend³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: C E Longsdon

9/1

Debut fourth in a 9-runner Huntingdon bumper (15.8f, soft) was certainly not devoid of promise, albeit he is another who will likely be seen in a better light when faced with a stiffer test.

Form: 4

Playful Fox^t1⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D SkeltonWS

8/1

Came home 16 lengths adrift of second-placed Diamond Jim when third on debut at Bangor, but he came from further back than that rival (and the winner) and is bound to improve with that run under his belt. Has undergone a wind and tongue strap applied.

Form: 3

The Grayster³²

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Luke Scott⁽³⁾| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole

3/1

Decent jumps pedigree and offered something to work on when chasing home clear-cut winner Aqua Bleu (successful again since) in a Doncaster juvenile hurdle (16.6f, good to soft) last month. Will be more street-wise this time and he needs considering.

Form: 2

Non-Runners

Majordomo⁴⁶

Weight: 11-0| Age: 3

T: L Russell & M Scudamore J: Jack Power

Forecasts

Diamond Jim (9/4), Lucy The Wire (11/4), The Grayster (3/1), Majordomo (3/1), Playful Fox (8/1), Pippin's Legend (9/1), Marvel Magic (12/1)

Several to consider here, with preference for Newcastle bumper winner MAJORDOMO, who is bound to have been well-schooled ahead of this hurdles debut and could turn out to be an above-average recruit. Playful Fox was a fair way behind Diamond Jim at Bangor, but it would be no surprise to see Dan Skelton's representative leave that form well behind here and emerge as the main danger ahead of both that rival and Leicester winner Lucy The Wire.