bet365 Scottish Stayers' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 53.03s

Absolutely Doyen³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| D

8/11

Made it 4-4 for Paul Nicholls when seeing off 8 rivals in a Wincanton handicap (24.7f, good to soft) on Boxing Day, eased down at the finish and leaving the strong impression that he has more in the tank. Very much the one to beat back in novice company.

Form: 42-1111

Lewisham Grove¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 122

7/1

Took another step forward when opening his account in a big-field Newcastle maiden (20.3f, good to soft) recently, quickening up well to score in decisive fashion. Clearly going the right way and should give another good account but he's up against some highly promising types in this.

Form: 5-56221

Out Of The Woods⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: P W Wadge| T: L Russell & M Scudamore

16/1

Fairly useful bumper winner who looked a good prospect when making a successful debut over hurdles in 11-runner maiden at Hexham in November. Wasn't in same form at Newcastle next time, though, and yard saddles a more appealing candidate in Sleedagh.

Form: 16-17

Walks The Talk^h⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Alex Harvey| T: J C McConnell| OR: 120| D

10/3

Successful at Roscommon and Kelso on first 2 starts in this sphere before finishing fifth of 9 in a listed race at Haydock (19f, good to soft) where she repeatedly jumped right. Will be suited by this return to a right-handed track/step back up in trip and solid chance for last year's winning yard.

Form: 3241-15

Sleedagh²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 119

17/2

£80,000 point recruit who has been runner-up on all 4 outings under Rules, most recently in a maiden hurdle at Ayr (20.4f, soft) where he wasn't knocked about. Moving back up in trip here looks a good move and he's of strong interest given his clear scope for improvement.

Form: 632-222

Forecasts

Absolutely Doyen (8/11), Walks The Talk (10/3), Lewisham Grove (7/1), Sleedagh (17/2), Out Of The Woods (16/1)

The claims of ABSOLUTELY DOYEN are pretty persuasive given his progressive profile and the fact that he's unbeaten in four starts for the Nicholls yard. Sleedagh and Irish raider Walks The Talk both remain open to improvement, too, and are feared most in that order of preference. Lewisham Grove should also be on the premises but the aforementioned trio bring stronger credentials to the party.