EBF Stallions Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 5m 51.5s

Gayebury⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: T J O'Brien| T: Evan Williams| OR: 147

3/1

Clear top on official ratings having slammed a top field in a Pertemps Qualifier at Chepstow in February (well beaten in the final at Cheltenham). Chased home Willoughby Court at Warwick in January so clearly has the ability to win this. Concerning that the stable have not had a winner since March 13th. Would prefer much softer ground.

Form: 3-12210

Aintree My Dream^t⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 137

6/4

Clearly suited to testing ground and has been well placed to land three minor races. Well supported to win a hot handicap at Haydock in January in what was his most severe test to date. Not disgraced that day and this will be an opportunity to chart his subsequent progress.

Form: 1431F1

King Of Fashion^t⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Brian Harding| T: I A Duncan| OR: 132

10/1

Last two efforts suggest he has improved since beaten by Progress Drive at Ayr last month. Ran well enough on better ground at Ayr last week to suggest he can account for that rival, but he still has something to do at the weights.

Form: 4-21312

Progress Drive^p1⁴⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: S Mulqueen| T: N G Richards| OR: 128

14/1

Best efforts have come with plenty of give. His dam had a marked preference for quick conditions so that could be misleading. Winner at Ayr last time and had King Of Fashion behind in third. That rival made a mistake at a crucial point and has proven to have made significant progress since. Cheekpieces are tried by a trainer with a 19-98 record here.

Form: 1-21141

Robbin'hannon³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White

5/2

Snapped up for £110,000 after impressing as the winner of a point-to-point over 3m on good ground in Ireland last November. Winner of a weak race at Warwick but won with plenty in hand. Potentially smart and could be capable of finding the extra needed to step up at this level. Yard won this, with subsequently very useful horses, in 2014 and 2015.

Form: 11

Forecasts

Aintree My Dream (6/4), Robbin'hannon (5/2), Gayebury (3/1), King Of Fashion (10/1), Progress Drive (14/1)

An excellent renewal of this in terms of standard but one where the state of the ground is likely to have an impact. Gayebury is the standout on his form achieved on more testing conditions than forecast here. His yard are on a long losing run and he looks too risky as a result. Aintree My Dream has been cleverly placed to win a couple of minor races but he too needs to prove he can handle ground quicker than he has become accustomed.. The same applies to King Of Fashion and Progress Drive but ROBBIN'HANNON has won a point-to-point on similar going. He made no mistake on his debut and it is notable his patient trainer has no qualms in bringing him here for this sterner test so early in his career. The yard know what it takes to win this and can take the honours for the third time in four years.