Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:55 | Winning time: 5m 28.31s

Precious Metal⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 12-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss H C Knight| OR: 118

15/8

Listed bumper win at Cheltenham last winter and has made a promising start to his hurdle career this time round, finishing runner-up on first 2 attempts before winning 2m Lingfield maiden in December. Up in trip for handicap debut. Almost certainly capable of better again.

Form: 217-221

Calme Olympien¹⁰⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 114| D

14/1

Fairly useful ex-French hurdler who got off the mark on his yard debut in 3-runner novice hurdle at Ffos Las (2½m, good) in October. Off since ahead of this switch to handicaps.

Form: 4473-1

Zainy Champ^t1³⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams| T: J Scott| OR: 106

5/1

Comfortable winner of 18.5f Exeter handicap in December but has pulled up in his 3 other handicap starts so comes with risks. Fitted with a first-time tongue tie.

Form: 42P-P18

Hot Goddess²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 105

6/1

Returned from 10 months off with a good third of 7 in novice hurdle at Lingfield (2m, good) in December. Respectable fifth on 2½m Ffos Las handicap debut since but that underlines she needs more from her mark.

Form: 3/534-35

Bollin Thou^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: Nick Scholfield| OR: 103| D

6/4

Continues to go the right way in handicaps for current yard, having little trouble completing the hat-trick when landing the odds at Lingfield (19.5f, soft) 12 days ago. Another 13 lb higher now but it may not stop him.

Form: 9-P4111

Non-Runners

Tennessee Tango³⁵

Weight: 11-12| Age: 6

T: J Tizzard J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Bollin Thou (6/4), Precious Metal (15/8), Tennessee Tango (7/2), Zainy Champ (5/1), Hot Goddess (6/1), Calme Olympien (14/1)

Even a further 13 lb rise may not prevent the thriving BOLLIN THOU from completing a 4-timer. Precious Metal looks capable of better now moving into handicap company for the first time and may give Nick Scholfield's charge most to do.