Audley Ellerslie Luxury Retirement Village Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 4m 51.10s

Holryale^p1,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 117| D

5/6

Gained due reward for some close calls in previous starts when scrambling home over this trip at Uttoxeter last time out. Has to give away weight all round but should still give another good account of himself in first time cheekpieces.

Form: 224-221

Ask Robin⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden

7/2

Won Tralee maiden point-to-point in Ireland six weeks ago and makes Rules debut for new connections. Related to a number of winners so is respected and market should indicate how well he's expected to go here.

Form: 2/3-1

Play The Ace^p,t²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 130| D

17/2

8-24 over fences and reverts to hurdles for only the second time in his career having run poorly last three starts. Connections seeking a confidence boost and if ability remains he could be a danger.

Form: 11P-6P4

Rockinrolldixie^h1,t⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Alex Edwards⁽⁵⁾| T: A Ralph

33/1

Experienced wining point-to-pointer makes belated debut under Rules in Britain. Scored twice between the flags in May before running poorly last time. More needed but not without hope.

Form: 2P6-11R

Knighthood⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| BF

5/1

Delegator gelding, half-brother to six indivudal winners. Represents top yard with 21% course strike rate over the years. Has shown promise in both starts so far without looking a worldbeater but should be thereabouts and is open to improvement.

Form: 6-4

Forecasts

Holryale (5/6), Ask Robin (7/2), Knighthood (5/1), Play The Ace (17/2), Rockinrolldixie (33/1)

A trappy affair with the youngster KNIGHTHOOD taken to step up on his two efforts so far and land the spoils for the champion trainer. Holyrale has to concede weight but sets the standard on his recent winning effort, while chaser Play The Ace could easily score if rejuvenated by the switch to timber. Ex-point-to-pointers Ask Robin and Rockinrolldixie are worth monitoring for any money in the markets ahead of their respective Rules debuts.