theenergycheck.co.uk Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 5m 5.4s

Shankill Castle²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: R M SmithWS

3/1

Only showed modest form in bumpers in Ireland and GB but eclipsed that level of form straight away over hurdles on debut ay Ayr (2m, good). Settled well and despite some awkward jumps led near finish; should do better (had wind surgery).

Form: 3D60-1

Cuddles Mcgraw^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien

85/40

Had a wind op after his solitary bumper run (hinted at ability) finished well held. Now had a couple of attempts over hurdles (tongue-tie both times) showing a little more last time out at Towcester (2m3f); need this for a mark.

Form: 00-4

Rossamilan²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Blair Campbell⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

7/1

His three quick-fire hurdles starts looked as though they all had handicaps in mind (2m at Hexham and Perth, heavy). Solitary chase run (out of his depth); made handicap hurdle debut after a break (offered little); hard to assess as things stand.

Form: 1/7674-0

Templenaboe¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

12/1

Not much chance of recording a win behind a long odds-on favourite last time over C&D but disappointing all the same. Previous form has been very questionable and failed to complete twice before over hurdles.

Form: 16/FP-7

Roo Roo²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine

9/4

His initial bumper run on the AW at Newcastle showed that he had ability and he's bred to do well over jumps (at longer trips). Would have been suited by a stronger pace on his first start and ran to a similar level in a Kelso bumper last time.

Form: 5-4

Lady Samback^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes

20/1

Yard have been in good form of late and have sprung some big price surprises and that would have to be the same story with this one. She's been well held in four bumpers and offered very little in two hurdles starts (hooded both times).

Form: 0/536-84

Forecasts

Cuddles Mcgraw (85/40), Roo Roo (9/4), Shankill Castle (3/1), Rossamilan (7/1), Templenaboe (12/1), Lady Samback (20/1)

Very little solid form to go on here but SHANKILL CASTLE left behind his modest bumper form to score on his hurdling debut at the start of May. He’s since had wind surgery and that may allow him to find enough improvement to overcome his penalty. Roo Roo comes from a capable yard for leading owners and has hinted that he’ll be better over longer trips in both his bumper starts as he goes hurdling for the first time. The Lucinda Russell duo so far have done nothing but disappoint but Templenaboe may be able to do a little more this time around while Cuddles McGraw needs this run to gain a mark.