1.05 1m. 7f. 216yds. 15 Declared. bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2 ) of £100,000.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €51,440.00 2nd - €23,650.00 3rd - €11,830.00 4th - €5,910.00 5th - €2,960.00 6th - €1,470.00 7th - €740.00 8th - €370.00
Formscan - Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden teamed up to win this race with Knappers Hill last year and they appear to have fair claims of following up with KILLALOAN. The five-year-old gelding has been a cosy winner of his last three starts on varying ground conditions and can continue his upward trajectory to defy a 6lb rise for his latest victory. Under Control has been given a 7lb hike for an impressive win at Cheltenham nine days ago, when conceding weight all-round, and will appreciate underfoot conditions. Beau Balko was a comprehensive winner over C&D in February and was just headed in the final strides at Stratford earlier this month, so he's likely to be thereabouts.