Hyperdesmo Classic Mares' Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 4m 15.1s

Kupatana^h1¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 121

1/2

Expensive Irish point-to-point winner (£120,000), made light of pre-race exuberance and racing keenly to open account in Lingfield maiden hurdle (2m3½f, heavy) on second start. Hood added now and could prove hard to hold if settling better.

Form: 1-41

Celer Et Audax⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Benjamin Poste| T: J G M O'Shea

100/1

Hard to say that her form in bumpers was that inspiring and her three hurdles runs have shown even less, including unseating rider early on at this track last time out.

Form: 866U0U

Dinos Benefit⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard

9/4

Not without promise on hurdles bow at Wincanton (2m5½f, soft) last month, finishing 6L fourth of nine. Since joined Tizzard team and should have more to offer.

Form: 211244

Kilcullen Bellamy¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

20/1

Moderate fourth of nine in Taunton bumper this month on first start under rules, goes hurdling for the first time and must build on that run to get competitive today.

Form: F-14

Slice Of Lemon

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: T E Whelan| T: Mrs D A Hamer

66/1

Debut today for a yard not known for first time out winners. Breeding suggests ground may suit but a watching brief is advised here.

Form:

The Toojumpa¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott

66/1

Little to be taken from three bumper runs, then well beaten off (28L) on jumping bow at Hereford this month over 2m3½f on soft going. Must improve significantly on that now dropped in trip.

Form: 0584

Kestrel Valley^h²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard

11/1

Filly was beaten just over 3L on hurdling bow at Exeter (2m1f, soft) last month, making late progress from off the pace. Might want a longer trip, but not written off here.

Form: 573

Forecasts

Kupatana (1/2), Dinos Benefit (9/4), Kestrel Valley (11/1), Kilcullen Bellamy (20/1), The Toojumpa (66/1), Slice Of Lemon (66/1), Celer Et Audax (100/1)

It is hard to escape the claims of KUPATANA. She did plenty wrong last time at Lingfield but still managed to come away with victory on her second trip to the racetrack. A hood is applied now in a bid to help her settle and, if she does that, this looks a winnable chance for her again. Dinos Benefit has joined a leading yard after showing promise at Wincanton and is feared most ahead of Kestrel Valley.