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16:02 Ascot

Saturday 18 January 2025

All12:3013:0513:4014:1514:5015:3216:02

BetMGM EBF 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

4YO to 7YO | Class 3 | 2m 5f 141y | 8 Runners | Turf

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Selected odds by:

I'm A Lumberjack³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 124

5/2

Fairly useful bumper performer who confirmed hurdling debut promise when running out a tidy winner of 11-runner maiden hurdle (6/5) at Warwick (21f, soft) 37 days ago, suited by the longer trip. Likely to progress further.

Form: 2639-21

Jax Junior³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Brendan Powell| T: L Wadham

5/1

Placed in bumpers last spring. Had wind surgery after making a disappointing start to his hurdle career at Uttoxeter in November and totally different proposition at Doncaster 6 weeks later, winning by 10 lengths. There should be more to come.

Form: 023-71

Laurens Bay⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 123

7/1

Confirmed previous promise as he made it third time lucky over hurdles in 10-runner novice hurdle at Huntingdon (15.8f, heavy, 8/11) 41 days ago, driven out. Step up in trip promises to suit and remains capable of better.

Form: 2/1-221

U Cant Be Serious¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: J Tizzard

9/2

Rangy gelding who showed promise in bumpers and left his hurdling debut form well behind to open his account in 10-runner novice at Taunton (19f) 19 days ago, quickening clear flat having jumped/travelled well. This is tougher but open to further improvement.

Form: 6/456-71

Copper Jack⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: J J Burke| T: Anthony Charlton

33/1

Irish point winner who appeared to improve on the form shown on bumper debut when fourth of 5 in a class 2 C&D novice in November. That was a steadily-run affair however, and the form looks suspect.

Form: 521-74

Country Park²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 121

15/8

Fair useful hurdler who was running well when falling 2 out in maiden hurdle over C&D (good to soft) 29 days ago, going best at time. Enters calculations.

Form: 9-B232F

Minella Kaiser³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Gordon

50/1

Placed on the first of 2 starts in Irish points but looks one for handicaps later on based on early evidence under Rules.

Form: 38-4

Non-Runners

The Bluesman⁵⁷

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: P F Nicholls J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Country Park (15/8), I'm A Lumberjack (5/2), U Cant Be Serious (9/2), Jax Junior (5/1), Laurens Bay (7/1), Copper Jack (33/1), Minella Kaiser (50/1)

LAURENS BAY did well to get the better of one that's useful on the level in what became a bit of a dash at Huntingdon the previous month and looks capable of defying a penalty, especially with today's step up in trip sure to suit. I'm A Lumberjack's Warwick win is backed up by the timefigure and he warrants plenty of respect. with U Can't Be Serious another to note having won in quite impressive fashion at Taunton.