14:10 Warwick

Sunday 8 March 2026

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4016:1316:4817:23

Oddschecker Free Bets Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m | 11 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 124| D

Bumper winner who shaped encouragingly when placed on first 2 hurdle starts. Well held in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham next outing before easily winning a Kelso maiden in December. Pulled up on handicap debut at Windsor last time, but no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 9-3261P

Wilstar^t³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 120| D

6/4

Well-bred type who was successful on second of 2 starts in bumpers and has been going the right way over hurdles, scoring comfortably in 10-runner maiden at Southwell (15.8f, soft) last month. Major player with further improvement to come.

Form: 31-821

Answer That²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon

28/1

Shaped promisingly when making the frame twice from 3 starts in bumpers for Anthony McCann in Ireland. Well held on stable/hurdling debut when fifth of 7 in maiden at Plumpton (15.9f, soft) 27 days ago, but he's entitled to step forward from that run.

Form: 204-5

Bargain Hunter⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Nick Slatter⁽³⁾| T: D J Jeffreys

200/1

Placed on completed start in points, but managed to beat only one rival in a pair of bumpers and low-key start over hurdles when eighth of 14 in maiden at Uttoxeter (15.8f, heavy) 6 weeks ago.

Form: P3-578

Legal Weapon⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 117| BF| CD

15/2

Course bumper winner who stepped forward from his first 2 starts over hurdles when second in a Newbury maiden in December. However, wasn't able to build on that when fourth of 8 in novice at Doncaster (16.6f, soft) last time, finding less than looked likely.

Form: 90-2324

Scrumpyjack⁴⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Daire James McConville⁽⁷⁾| T: C E Longsdon

150/1

Down the field in a Hereford bumper in December 2024 and fared no better returning from 13-month absence when pulled up in maiden at Doncaster (19.4f, soft) on hurdles bow in January.

Form: 0-P

Typhoon Warrior²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton

16/1

Encouragement both starts in bumpers, before given a considerate introduction to hurdling when third of 8 in a Market Rasen novice in January. Tailed off at Newbury (16.3f, soft) last time and will be of more appeal once handicapping.

Form: 4436

Ample Warning⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph

20/1

Looked like a stayer in a Cheltenham bumper back in April 2024. After 20 months off, shaped up well when fourth of 15 in novice at Ludlow (15.8f, soft) on hurdling debut in December, though she may be one for further down the line.

Form: 0/4

Ballylicky Bay¹⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Paul O'Brien| T: K Pickard

150/1

Irish point winner who made a successful start under Rules in a Bangor bumper last summer. However, well held on hurdling debut in October and failed to improve when eighth of 10 in novice at Hereford (16.2f, good) the following month.

Form: 41-138

Chico Magnifica⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: G Sheehan| T: O Murphy

11/1

Fairly useful form when winning twice from 4 starts on the level (raced at 11/12f) for Karl Burke in 2025. In need of the experience on stable/hurdling debut when sixth of 8 in juvenile event at Huntingdon (15.8f, soft) a week ago, so he may need more time.

Form: 6

Talakan³²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: K Brogan| T: T Lawes| OR: 122

9/4

Fairly useful 14.5f winner on the Flat in France and has made a promising start over hurdles, rallying well for second in 8-runner juvenile event at Ludlow (15.8f, soft) last time. Remains with potential so he's not taken lightly.

Form: 32

Forecasts

Talakan (7/4), Wilstar (11/4), Great Fleet (3/1), Legal Weapon (6/1), Chico Magnifica (20/1), Typhoon Warrior (20/1), Ample Warning (20/1), Answer That (33/1), Ballylicky Bay (66/1), Bargain Hunter (100/1), Scrumpyjack (150/1)

Preference is for WILSTAR, who confirmed the promise of his second start over hurdles when winning with plenty in hand at Southwell last time. He can continue his progression to follow-up, though Talakan has shaped well when placed in a pair of juvenile hurdles and is respected, while Great Fleet could also be in the mix back in novice company.