KOSB Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 4f 189y | 9 Runners | Turf

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Jack Power⁽⁵⁾| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 117| CD

Bumper winner who's progressed gradually over hurdles and was off the mark in a C&D maiden in November. Ran well behind an unexposed Skelton-trained rival in an 8-runner novice at Newcastle in January and there should still be more to come from this staying type.

Form: 122-212

Gaelic Rover²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 118

Showed promise despite falling both starts in Irish points and has made a good start over hurdles, placing twice before landing a maiden at Newcastle (2m, good to soft) in January. Running below that level when falling here 3 weeks ago but previous form still stacks up well.

Form: FF-321F

Le Frimeur¹²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Slevin| T: Harry Derham

Easy winner of an Irish point and created a good impression when making a successful Rules debut in 7-runner maiden hurdle at Chepstow in November, scoring with a bit in hand. Open to improvement and he's not taken lightly. Declared 14.00 Newbury Friday.

Form: 1-1

Ivan's Legacy⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: S Corbett

Modest form at best when fourth on all 3 bumper starts and well held both outings over hurdles.

Form: 4-4477

Melbourne Ghost²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: D W Whillans

Maiden pointer who offered little on bumper/hurdle debut.

Form: 70

Rememberthename⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: P W Wadge| T: A M Thomson| OR: 100

Fair maiden hurdler who ran his best race when third of 12 in handicap hurdle at Musselburgh 48 days ago. Vulnerable to some promising types here, though.

Form: 323573

Talk To The Boss¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies

£80,000 purchase after finishing runner-up in an Irish point in February 2025. Shaped as if better for the run when ninth of 12 in novice hurdle at Newcastle on Rules debut 18 days ago.

Form: 2-9

The G Wizard²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 114| BF

Yet to finish outside of the frame in 5 hurdle starts, showing up well when runner-up at Musselburgh on handicap debut last month. Probably unsuited by switch to patient tactics back in novice company at Ayr 4 weeks ago. Respected. Declared 15.55 Musselburgh Friday.

Form: 242223

Bollin Skittle²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: D W Whillans

No impact in a bumper and is seemingly being brought along with handicaps in mind over hurdles, keeping on gradually when fourth here (2m, soft) 3 weeks ago. Should be suited by longer trip but likely to be of greater interest when eligible for handicaps.

Form: 564

Forecasts

Le Frimeur (2/1), Eagles Reprieve (5/2), Gaelic Rover (3/1), The G Wizard (13/2), Rememberthename (10/1), Bollin Skittle (25/1), Talk To The Boss (25/1), Ivan's Legacy (100/1), Melbourne Ghost (150/1)

Point winner LE FRIMEUR has been off since making a winning Rules debut at Chepstow in November but Harry Derham's gelding scored with a bit in hand there and may have the most potential of the penalised trio. Gaelic Rover can get back on track after a lesser effort in Grade 2 company last time, with C&D maiden winner Eagles Reprieve also shortlisted.