racinguk.com 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 5m 55.0s

Border Victor²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Henry Brooke| T: F P Murtagh

66/1

Started at treble figure odds on all three starts so far the last two over hurdles at Ayr over slightly shorter trips. Showed more on his second start over hurdles last time out behind King Of Fashion when despite his big price he travelled better than most and will be interesting f he gets a mark after this run for handicaps.

Form: 98

Reivers Lad²⁸⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards

8/15

Makes his hurdles debut here after showing fairly useful form in three bumper starts two of them at Ayr. Slightly hampered on his first start and may have been a little unlucky and duly got off the mark at Carlisle some ten weeks later and looking like a stayer in the process. Ran like the best horse at the weights when third in his last bumper in a race that has produced winners and interesting starting out over hurdles after a break.

Form: 213-411

Strong Economy²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: S Mulqueen⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Smith| OR: 117

4/1

Failed to win or place in three starts in point-to-points but looks to be steadily improving under Rules with his hurdles form in both starts looking positive. Big price (100/1) on first start over hurdles at Ayr (2m) and then did much better when second over an extended 2m4f again at Ayr last time out to King Of Fashion with Border Victor behind. No match for the winner but the increased trip should help him take another step forward.

Form: 455674

Vertigo⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

16/1

Two starts in Irish maiden point-to-points, fell on the last occasion. Won his sole bumper start at Hexham in October and showed a good turn of foot to take that contest after getting slightly hemmed turning for home. Not quite lived up to that promise in three hurdles starts so far but did catch the eye of the Ayr Stewards last time out when dropped back in trip and held-up in a bid to get him settled. Stepped back up in trip here and will be interesting to see how he fares and has as yet to be awarded a mark.

Form: 647217-

Vouvray⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: S A Shortall⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards

11/2

Winner of a maiden point-to-point in Ireland before being bought for £35,000 by current connections. Well related to some smart jumps performers and interesting to see how he goes here in his Rules debut although the stable have the better fancied Reivers Lad in the race.

Form: 1

Better Back Bracka^t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Steven Kelly⁽⁷⁾| T: N C Kelly

10/1

Placed in bumpers and over hurdles and probably ran up to her best last time out when second to Lough Derg Jewel at Kelso. Looked to be one of the last off the bridle there but was still well beaten in the end and would need to improve to trouble some of these and will be seen to better effect in a handicap.

Form: 263-705

Non-Runners

Robin Des Mana¹⁶

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: G Elliott J: R Johnson

Forecasts

Reivers Lad (8/15), Robin Des Mana (2/1), Strong Economy (4/1), Vouvray (11/2), Better Back Bracka (10/1), Vertigo (16/1), Border Victor (66/1)

A good and interesting start to the card with some potential improvers over hurdles taking part here some with experience over obstacles and some without. Robin Des Mana sets a decent standard but may well be vulnerable given the potential of a few of his rivals and chief amongst those would be REIVERS LAD and Strong Economy. The former makes his hurdles debut here but looks sure to be suited by this test and the latter showed how well he was progressing last time out at this course. Vertigo attracted the attention of the Stewards last time out and it will be interesting to see how he performs here with Border Victor another to watch with handicaps awaiting. 1. Reivers Lad 2. Strong Economy 3. Robin Des Mana