Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 4m 50.92s

Fountains Blenhein³³

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Chad Bament⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 124| D

10/3

Debut bumper winner who routed the field on hurdles debut at Fontwell and got quickly back on track when readily justifying support in a 22f novice at Windsor on New Year's Day. Found Grade 2 too demanding at Doncaster since and can resume winning ways back in a novice.

Form: 10-131P

Calvino⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 117| CD

5/4

Course bumper winner last spring. Went close on Newton Abbot hurdle debut/reappearance and went one better at the second attempt over C&D 7 weeks ago, posting a good time. That form looks solid so rates a serious player.

Form: 461-2P1

Crest Of Valour⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball

200/1

Glimmers of ability on debut in a bumper but no impact either start over hurdles.

Form: 6P8

Georges Street¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Godfrey| T: Claire Hitch

200/1

Unpromising in points and showed little in C&D novice 2 weeks ago.

Form: P3-PP5

Khafre⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Paddy Hanlon⁽⁵⁾| T: S Hosie

11/8

Fetched £60,000 after winning an Irish point and showed a bit starting out under Rules in a Cheltenham maiden hurdle. Similar form when fourth at Wincanton in December and not much to find with the principals on these terms.

Form: 21-74

Sailing By¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard

22/1

Produced a promising first effort when third in Chepstow bumper in November but hasn't kicked on, well held when tried over hurdles last 2 starts.

Form: 3774

Don't Call Me Sue^h⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Bradley Harris⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland

250/1

Well held in 2 bumpers.

Form: 09

Forecasts

Calvino (5/4), Khafre (11/8), Fountains Blenhein (10/3), Sailing By (22/1), Georges Street (200/1), Crest Of Valour (200/1), Don't Call Me Sue (250/1)

FOUNTAINS BLENHEIN can quickly resume winning ways back down in class but it's unlikely to be easy up against Calvino, whose C&D win is proving solid form.