QuinnBet Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:08 | Winning time: 5m 14.99s

Taranis Dubh^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 122

4/9

Won sole start in Irish points. Tongue tied for first time (retained) and still looked a work in progress when landing 12-runner novice hurdle at Worcester (2m, good to soft) 23 days ago. Has more to offer, especially over this longer trip. The one to beat.

Form: 13-21

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Iamtheidaho

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson

8/1

€27,000 3-y-o, Idaho gelding. Half-brother to useful hurdler Bareback Jack and bumper winner Palpatate. Hails from a yard which can ready one so not ruled out.

Form:

Affinitive¹⁹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: Miss H C Knight

8/1

Affinisea gelding who built on debut fifth with second of 11 in bumper at Bangor (17f, good) 6 months ago. Yard is going well so can't be dismissed on hurdles debut.

Form: 52-

Seven Kites^v1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| BF

5/1

Successful on sole outing in points. Made an encouraging hurdling debut when second at Chepstow in April but didn't look the most straightforward at times when a well-held fourth of 7 in novice hurdle there (3m, good to soft) 21 days ago. Visor goes on for the first time now.

Form: 12-4

Non-Runners

St Gabriel¹⁷⁴

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Taranis Dubh (4/9), St Gabriel (15/8), Seven Kites (5/1), Affinitive (8/1), Iamtheidaho (8/1)

TARANIS DUBH took a step forward despite still looking green when going in at Worcester recently and with this step up in trip also a positive he is taken to concede weight all round. Nicky Henderson's Haydock bumper winner St Gabriel brings a fair bit of potential on his hurdling debut and rates a big threat though, while Iamtheidaho is another newcomer to this sphere to command respect.