Rockwool Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 5m 8.00s

1^st

Billy Hicks

611-11

9/4

T: S DrinkwaterJ: David England

Tracked leader, led 3 out, 2 lengths clear last, driven and idled closing stages, held on neat finish op 2/1 tchd 7/4

2^nd

Braw Angus

711-10

13/8f

T: K Bailey & M NichollsJ: Thomas Bellamy

Chased leaders, behind and outpaced after 7th, ridden after 4 out, hit next, rallied 2 out, went 2nd when not fluent last, gaining towards finish, just held op 7/4 tchd 6/4

3^rd

Hills Of Dubai

811-12

4/1

T: D McCain JnrJ: W T Kennedy

Led, headed when not fluent 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression with front pair op 9/2 tchd 6/1

4^th

Samdibien

511-10

9/1

T: S ThomasJ: Jake Greenall

Held up in rear, close up 5th, chased front pair before 4 out, ridden and effort to chase winner before 2 out, no extra before last tchd 10/1

5^th

Gilly Grace

710-5

8/1

T: J D FrostJ: Bryony Frost (7)

Tracked leaders, outpaced before 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off tchd 9/1

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Non-Runners

Quarry Wizard¹⁴

Weight: 10-9| Age: 7

T: Mrs S Leech J: R P McLernon

Betting Breakdown

Tote Win:£3.00Pl:£1.70, £1.50EX:£6.70Trifecta:£18.30SF:£6.52

Forecasts

Braw Angus (13/8), Billy Hicks (9/4), Hills Of Dubai (4/1), Gilly Grace (8/1), Samdibien (9/1), Quarry Wizard (16/1)

This will probably go to one of the two last time winners in the field. BILLY HICKS makes his handicap debut today off what seems to be a fair mark, and he gave the impression that a few furlongs further would suit him well given the way he won at Ludlow earlier in the month. He has to overcome a poor run at this track on debut, but that can be put own to inexperience, and he looks more than able to make it back-to-back wins here. Meanwhile Braw Angus looks like he'll thrive in a test of stamina like the one he's likely to get today, further back up by the fact he was also entered for a race over 3m2f at Warwick yesterday. If taking this option instead he rates the biggest threat, ahead of the returning Hills of Dubai, if he can overcome a long lay-off.