Grade One Sefton Novices' Hurdle Guide 2022

A winner last time out at Doncaster, in an uncompetitive 5 runner field over just shy of 2 and a half miles. He did win that easily on soft ground, though this flat recruit is not a guarantee at this longer trip.

He does lack experience, having only contested twice over hurdles. He will need to prove he stays, and has the ability to mix it at this level.

Lots of question marks. 

Gentleman At Arms is an improving flat recruit, who now has an official rating of 134. He won readily at odds of 2/13f last time out, when beating Propelled and Ballaquane at Huntingdon.

He's rather unexposed but is still far from the level needed to take this. Needs to improve. 

A winner over C&D three starts ago and improved upon that effort with a 4th and 3rd in much better company. Latterly, he was 3/7 in a competitive G2 won by Mahler Mission.

My Bobby Dazzler didn't really settle well enough that day and was ultimately well beaten. He does look as if he's still improving and he's could be an each way player at a decent price.

Green Book has been steadily progressive this season, and seems to be consistent enough. He bounced back from his drubbing at the hands of Hillcrest at Haydock, last time out in the shape of a 5th placed finish at the Cheltenham festival. This was in the 3m G1 Albert Bartlett, when 18L behind The Nice Guy.

That showed something of a revival in the context of his last run and if he improves on his Albert Bartlett run he's definitely not without a chance. Stronger form than most.

Stag Horn will need to bounce back from his incompletion last time out in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham festival.

With his Cheltenham run put to one side, he had looked really progressive and winning his only two starts over hurdles after switching from the flat.

His best form is a G2 win over 2m5f on soft ground, beating Gentleman At Arms by 2L relatively easily. He will need to put Cheltenham firmly behind him and bounce back to be in with a shout here.

A winner of his last two starts, once at Warwick and most recently at Exeter. The form of these two wins isn't totally inspiring, having taken the scalp of two rather exposed horses.

Though he's ran to a decent level, he's definitely not ran to graded level as yet. He does look to be a work in progress, but like many of these, he will need to improve to take this competitive G1.

Banbridge ran out a ready winner of the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, which is always incredibly strong for a C2 Handicap.

He beat the right horses in; Cobblers Dream, Hollow Games and Freedom To Dream in second, third and fourth respectively.

Prior to that he won a Navan novice hurdle and he looks to be well and truly on the up, he's well worth a go in this grade. 

A winner of his last two over hurdles, latterly taking a 2 and a half mile novice apart on soft ground at Leicester.

He won in taking fashion that day and looked to jump quickly and proficiently. He seems to have a big engine and this trip should suit.

He has a bit to find on ratings though, and will need to improve to get involved.

A winner of 2 P2P's before taking 2 novice hurdles at Hexham and Newcastle. He then followed those efforts up with 2 seconds at Newcastle and Haydock.

His last effort (Haydock) was a good one, behind the smart Hillcrest (8L) with 41L back to the third. He's a definite stayer and has good form to his name.

He will be a live each way player for in-form connections. 

Unbeaten prior to his 3rd place effort last time out in a G2 at Kelso behind Nells Son and North Lodge.

That was over 2m2, and he is a P2P winner over 3m, so this trip should be well within his grasp. An improver who will likely go somewhat under the radar. 

Unbeaten in four starts for Sam Thomas and looks well above average. He battled well to beat Scarface on soft ground at Ascot when pulling 11L clear of the third.

That ground probably didn't suit, as he'd done his winning on a sounder surface prior to that. If he stays this trip and gets an easy surface, he really could be anything and it'll be interesting to see how he gets on in G1 company.

Could be anything. 

A winner last time out at Newbury, beating the useful Peking Rose over 2 and a half miles. This represented a drop back in trip as he's largely been campaigned at 3m this season, running into the very smart Blazing Khal twice.

Back up in trip today, he does have stronger form than many, and has to have a massive chance.

The only mare of this field, having finished 4/6th behind Cheltenham heroine Love Envoi at Sandown last time out.

Prior to that effort, she had battled well to win a listed novice hurdle at Haydock (2m2f) on soft ground from Nina The Terrier and Current Mood in a close second and third.

She needs to improve and prove she stays the trip, but she is in receipt of the mares allowance. May well outrun her odds but is unlikely to make the frame. 

A winner last time out, in a trappy 3 runner race, turning over an odds on favourite. He won in good style that day but it's hard to completely trust the form of those sort of races.

His form before that looks to be a good guide, and he races as though this trip will suit. He will need to improve significantly to win though.