188Bet Casino 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 6m 3.95s

Arctic Vodka⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S A Watt| OR: 113

10/3

Has shown a fair level of form in low grade handicap hurdles at Ayr, including when beaten just 1½L by Trongate in December (2m3f heavy). Not so good latest, probably didn't stay, and plenty on to trouble Behindthelines.

Form: 8-8232P

Behindthelines^t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 120

4/6

Produced decent efforts in both starts for this trainer since arriving out of Irish point-to-points. Beaten just ¾L by Sweet As Candy at Ayr latest (2m5f heavy); Arctic Vodka pulled up, and evidently the form horse to beat.

Form: P-232

Hangard¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby

5/1

Not progressed as expected since winning an Ayr bumper on debut in October (2m soft). Pulled up on hurdles debut, and well held in a jumpers bumper latest, so tough to fancy despite the stable form.

Form: 14P3

Storm Nelson⁴³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L B Normile

12/1

Formerly with Tom Lacey and only steady rather than spectacular in a couple of runs in Ayr bumpers for this trainer. Goes hurdling now over a trip which should suit, but likely stronger for the experience.

Form: 47-44

Trust Me I'm A Dr²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: K Yeoman⁽⁷⁾| T: V Thompson

50/1

A 15 race maiden in point-to-points, and has failed to complete in three starts under rules (P,P,P), so barring accidents, about the only thing that can be taken on trust is that he'll not be winning.

Form: 4/3-PPPP

Western Honour²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: James Moffatt

5/1

Bought for £120,000 at Cheltenham in March 2017 after winning a 3m Farmaclaffley point by 2L, but didn't last too long at Ditcheat with Paul Nicholls. Another weak race provides the ideal opportunity to build upon his recent 2m Kelso stable debut.

Form: 1-84

Forecasts

Behindthelines (4/6), Arctic Vodka (10/3), Hangard (5/1), Western Honour (5/1), Storm Nelson (12/1), Trust Me I'm A Dr (50/1)

BEHINDTHELINES has a strong opportunity to shed the maiden tag at the third time of asking for Lucinda Russell. He had Arctic Vodka and Hangard well beaten when vainly chasing home the likeable Sweet As Candy at Ayr in January (2m5f heavy), and he should take all of the beating in a modest race. Western Honour looks the chief threat. He didn't stay with Paul Nicholls for too long after costing £120,000, but he's taken to make another step forward on his second start for Jimmy Moffatt after finishing a pleasing fourth at Kelso last month (runner up won a decent handicap at Sandown on Saturday).