DragonBet The Roar Before Cheltenham Extra Places 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 5m 19.88s

Catchintsavo^t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 123| D

5/6

Fairly useful form when placed in all 3 bumpers and has translated that ability to hurdles, winning 21f Ludlow maiden (soft) in January. Creditable third under a penalty at Ascot (19f, good to soft) since. Leading form claims despite conceding weight all round.

Form: 23-0213

Five Bar Gate^t1²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| BF| C

3/1

Point bumper winner who also won a Rules bumper here (soft) in December. Fair form in a pair of 19f Taunton maiden hurdles since, latterly finishing second of 8. Today's slightly longer trip should suit and he won't need to raise his game too much with a tongue tie added.

Form: 5/1-6152

Mymilkman²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Freddie Gordon| T: C Gordon

25/1

Runner-up both completed starts in Irish points but has shown little in a trio of maiden/novice hurdles this winter.

Form: 22P-6PP

Piping Rock³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Liam Harrison| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120

5/2

Third sole start in Irish points in April and fair form when placed on all 3 outings over hurdles, finishing third at Warwick (19f, soft) latest. Likely to be on the premises again.

Form: 3-233

Snowski

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽³⁾| T: K Jewell

200/1

Snow Sky gelding. Dam unraced half-sister to fairly useful hurdler (winner around 2m) Nibiru. Stable not known for first-time-out success so a watching brief is advised.

Form:

Non-Runners

Unknown Stranger⁴³

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: J & S Best J: Harry Reed

Forecasts

Catchintsavo (5/6), Piping Rock (5/2), Five Bar Gate (3/1), Mymilkman (25/1), Unknown Stranger (50/1), Snowski (200/1)

CATCHINTSAVO came up short under a penalty at Ascot last month but this looks slightly easier and he can prove too strong for Piping Rock and Five Bar Gate.