Frodon & Black Corton At Taunton Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:32 | Winning time: 4m 6.25s

Itsinthename²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Quinlan| T: Nick Scholfield| D

11/1

Close second in all-weather bumper at Lingfield in January (only start for Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies) before making a winning hurdling/stable debut in a 2m Catterick maiden. Seemingly found out under a penalty in a better race at Newbury since, however.

Form: 3216

Lau And Shaz⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Joshua Newman⁽⁵⁾| T: K Woollacott| OR: 121| D

11/2

Fair bumper performer for Gavin Cromwell and back to her best when making a successful stable debut in Wincanton novice on Boxing Day. Led until crumpling on landing 4 out at Windsor prior to resuming winning ways at Hereford. Respected despite having to concede weights to her chief rivals.

Form: 0-561F1

Corsican Caper²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Lee Edwards| T: K Frost| D

66/1

Modest handicapper on the Flat (stays 16.5f) who went without a win last year. Tailed off on hurdling debut but showed more when a staying-on third of 4 in novice at Doncaster on most recent outing. Task is to now build on that.

Form: 73

Hawa Jumeirah⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Price| T: Mrs H R J Nelmes

200/1

Modest handicapper at best on Flat (stays 1½m) and offered little sent hurdling at Wincanton in February.

Form: 0

Regal Icon⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Pritchard⁽³⁾| T: J W Mullins

150/1

Just modest form on the first of 2 starts in bumpers and was pulled up on Wincanton hurdling debut in January.

Form: 50P

Secret Sniper²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul O'Brien| T: H Morrison

7/1

Brother to connections' useful performer Secret Squirrel and left his hurdling debut form behind when second in 2m novice at Huntingdon last month, clear of rest. Will go on progressing.

Form: 32-572

Minella Yoga⁷⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 128| BF| D

2/7

Sold for £360,000 after making a winning debut in academy hurdle at Fairyhouse and followed up in 2m Newbury introductory event for Paul Nicholls over Christmas. Still in need of the experience when third to Triumph Hurdle runner-up Maestro Conti in Grade 2 on latest start and sets a clear standard.

Form: 113

Forecasts

Minella Yoga (2/7), Lau And Shaz (11/2), Secret Sniper (7/1), Itsinthename (11/1), Corsican Caper (66/1), Regal Icon (150/1), Hawa Jumeirah (200/1)

MINELLA YOGA has made a highly promising start to his career and is a straightforward choice to resume winning ways back down in grade. Secret Sniper pulled a long way clear with one who's potentially useful at Huntingdon on his latest start and is fancied to provide the main threat, ahead of likeable mare Lau And Shaz.