BetVictor Watch Weekend Winners 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 3 | 2m 4f 118y | 7 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls

Point winner who created an excellent impression after 11 months off when making a successful start in this sphere in 8-runner novice at Taunton (19f, soft) 24 days ago, readily going clear from last flight. This son of Walk In the Park is the one to beat for yard with an excellent record in this.

Form: 1/54-1

The Big Clubman⁶³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: P Nolan| OR: 132| BF

1/1

Irish hurdler who bagged 2m Wexford novice on his debut in October before posting a useful effort when second in Monksfield Novice Hurdle at Navan (20f) following month. Shaped as if needing a stiffer test of stamina when last of 5 in Limerick Grade 2 since and is well worth another chance.

Form: F/2-125

Agent Argylle³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Finn Lambert⁽³⁾| T: R T Phillips

80/1

Irish point winner who has shaped like a stayer when in mid-division in a Wetherby bumper and 2m3f Doncaster maiden hurdle this term. Can do better in the longer term but this is a very tough ask.

Form: 51-87

Big Bert¹²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: James Owen

14/1

Fair form shown in bumpers and again when runner-up in 2m4f Huntingdon maiden hurdle last spring. Brought down at the first on his return in 2m3f Fontwell novice in October and remains with potential for his excellent yard.

Form: 1/2952-B

Buddy Holly²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| BF

10/1

Walk In The Park gelding who shaped with promise in a Punchestown bumper (for Philip Fenton) last spring and on both his runs over hurdles for his current yard, blundering 2 out when fifth of 8 in 2m4f Ffos Las maiden four weeks ago. Possibilities.

Form: 7-35

Laurier Des Obeaux⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore

22/1

Son of Bathyrhon who is being brought along steadily, a patiently-ridden fifth of 8 in novice hurdle over C&D (good to soft) in December. He has more to offer, especially once going handicapping.

Form: 4-35

Mulinas¹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls

33/1

Placed in a couple of bumpers in spring 2024. Only twice raced since and shaped as if still in need of the run when a fading sixth of 11 in 2m novice here ten days ago. May still do better but yard also has Talk To The Man here.

Form: 123/P6

Forecasts

The Big Clubman (1/1), Talk To The Man (11/8), Buddy Holly (14/1), Big Bert (16/1), Laurier Des Obeaux (16/1), Mulinas (33/1), Agent Argylle (66/1)

TALK TO THE MAN looked a good prospect when going in at the first time of asking over hurdles at Taunton recently and is fancied to build on that here and continue Paul Nicholls' fine record in this useful novice. Irish challenger The Big Clubman has the form to play a big part though and rates a major threat, with Buddy Holly and Big Bert appealing as the pick of the rest in the battle for minor honours.