Betfred 'Supports Jack Berry House' Juvenile Hurdle

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 4m 13.3s

Final Choice^t1¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 128

2/9

Finished his Flat career for Roger Charlton off a mark of just 52 when winning at Bath in June, and picked up by these connections for 34,000 Guineas. Made a good start over hurdles including winning over C&D last month on Good to Soft. Penalised and ground likely more testing today.

Form: -2

Flying Tiger⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽⁵⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 128

9/2

Penalised for a conditions hurdle success at Compiegne for this trainer in April, but forged clear that afternoon in very testing ground. Nearly followed up at Dieppe, and out of depth next time at Auteuil in a Grade 1. Only sixth on UK debut at Exeter in November, but very much has the ground conditions to suit.

Form: 2P6141

Balgemmois⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: A Stronge

66/1

£27,000 three-year old purchase whose dam was a 2m1f French hurdle and chase winner. Started at odds of 25/1 in a 1m5f junior bumper at Towcester on debut in November (sixth), but arrives here on hurdles debut in a reasonable race.

Form: 6

Zalvados²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Jake Greenall| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

16/1

€25,000 purchase at Arqana November 2016 Sale. Two time Flat winner in France, and makes hurdles debut for a stable that has made a big impression (up North) in their first few months of training.

Form: /22233-

Non-Runners

Magnificent Madiba³⁵

Weight: 10-12| Age: 4

T: George Baker J: T E Whelan

Forecasts

Final Choice (2/9), Flying Tiger (9/2), Zalvados (16/1), Magnificent Madiba (33/1), Balgemmois (66/1)

A disappointing turnout, which can most likely be attributed to the testing ground. Final Choice wasn't a star by any means for Roger Charlton on the Flat, but has made a smooth transition to hurdling for Warren Greatrex, and this is a good opportunity to follow up a recent C&D success under the penalty. However, given the prevailing ground conditions, it is worth chancing FLYING TIGER, whose French form is difficult to evaluate in the UK, but the hope is that Nick Williams gelding will relish these conditions, and although deserted by Richard Johnson, Lizzie Kelly takes a handy 5lbs off his back. 1. Flying Tiger 2. Final Choice 3. Zalvados