Joseph Perrier 'The Party Has Started' Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:42 | Winning time: 5m 14.1s

Blue Flight²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jamie Bargary| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 117

6/4

Has run well enough in two hurdles starts at Ludlow (3m, soft) and Warwick (2m5f, soft) so far without threatening to win. Finds a decent chance here to mount a more pressing challenge.

Form: 5-12343

Lovely Schtuff²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Stephen

3/1

Point-to-point winner (1-6 overall) made a pleasing start in 2m3½f good-ground novice contest at Carlisle last month, finishing third after having hit the front at four out. Should have more to come.

Form: 5421-53

Nando^h1⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: N G Richards| BF

7/4

Front-running sort has shown enough in maiden/novice outings at Ayr to suggest he'll be a threat again here, though may not be permitted his own way in front.

Form: 4-525

Skye Chief⁹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Bewley⁽³⁾| T: S Waugh

28/1

Finished runner-up on bumper debut at Musselburgh in January having set off a 28/1 poke, not as good since in heavy ground at Kelso but retains potential now sent hurdling for the first time.

Form: 25

Storm Nelson⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Grant Cockburn⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L B Normile

33/1

Steady if unspectacular in four bumper runs for two yards, sent off 50/1 on hurdles bow at Hexham (2m4f, heavy) last month and was pulled up having weakened out of contention late on. Plenty more needed.

Form: 47-44P

Russiantom^t⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: S Corbett

125/1

Flat-bred mare by Dylan Thomas, she didn't exactly set the world alight with her hurdling first-time-out over obstacles at Market Rasen last month and was duly pulled up. Not one to enthuse about for now.

Form: 86P

Non-Runners

Eagle Ridge³⁵

Weight: 11-2| Age: 7

T: N W Alexander J: Lucy Alexander

Le Frank⁹⁵

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: D R Fox

Forecasts

Blue Flight (6/4), Nando (7/4), Lovely Schtuff (3/1), Le Frank (8/1), Eagle Ridge (10/1), Skye Chief (28/1), Storm Nelson (33/1), Russiantom (125/1)

Blue Flight has shaped with promise in both starts over hurdles and should be contending to win soon while both Nando and Lovely Schtuff have shown their credentials in front-running so far in maiden/novice races. The fear for both now is a shared desire to be in front. LE FRANK ran a poor race on his handicap bow at Haydock in January but had previously displayed clear ability in this sort of company. Venetia Williams has her string in fine fettle right now and he could be answer.