Croxton Park Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:50 | Winning time: 5m 16.70s

1^st

Ballyarthur

711-5

15/8

T: N & W Twiston-DaviesJ: Sam Twiston-Davies

Made all, shaken up and went clear before last, stayed on well op 7/4 tchd 6/4

2^nd

Global Stage

611-5

4/6f

T: F O'BrienJ: P J Brennan

Chased winner until 4th, not fluent 7th, soon went 2nd again, pushed along after 3 out, driven and no impression before last tchd 4/5

3^rd

Midnight Merlot

511-5

50/1

T: Noel WilliamsJ: Ian Popham

Held up, took keen hold, in touch from 2nd, mistake 6th, weakened before 2 out

4^th

Smoking Dixie

611-5

10/1

T: B PaulingJ: David Bass

Held up, took keen hold, closed 2nd, chased winner 4th until after 7th, weakened before 2 out tchd 12/1

5^th

2 ¼

Wood Pigeon

811-5

33/1

T: Mrs A L M KingJ: C Poste

Chased leaders, lost place before 5th, not fluent next, weakened before 3 out

6^th

Daring Knight

410-7

50/1

T: Martin SmithJ: Tim Clark (3)

Held up in rear, in touch 2nd, outpaced after 7th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened

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Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£2.70Pl:£1.20, £1.10EX:£3.60Trifecta:£23.30SF:£3.52Swingers:£1.20, £5.40, £7.30

Forecasts

Global Stage (4/6), Ballyarthur (15/8), Smoking Dixie (10/1), Wood Pigeon (33/1), Midnight Merlot (50/1), Daring Knight (50/1)

Fergal O'Brien's GLOBAL STAGE raced a tremendous race when pitched in at elite level, particularly considering that it was his hurdling debut. With nothing else of that quality on show today and a step up in trip likely to be to his benefit, his trainer looks to have found him a good opportunity to break his duck. Ballyarthur looks to be the obvious danger, while we expect to see more from both Smoking Dixie and Midnight Merlot. 1. Global Stage 2. Ballyarthur 3. Smoking Dixie