John Smiths Extra Smooth Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 17.40s

Fort Jefferson^p²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Reed⁽⁵⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 117| D

5/2

Three wins at up to 1m2f for Andrew Balding. In fine form for current yard this spring winning Bangor maiden hurdle and two Flat handicaps. Third in Bangor novice hurdle under penalty last time was fair effort and should handle easier ground.

Form: 6342-13

Clemento²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: C R King| T: J & S Quinn| CD

4/1

Frustrating sort on Flat at up to 1m5f but got off mark at first time of asking over C&D in May. In and out on Flat since but should be fit and is respected for shrewd yard.

Form: 1

Icefall²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby| OR: 113

4/1

3-20 at up to 1m4f on the Flat but hasn't won for nearly two years and has slipped down the handicap. Modest first effort over hurdles at Uttoxeter this summer but much best latest when second at Market Rasen. Soft ground would be a concern though.

Form: 22

Sunny West¹⁰¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 110

12/1

Winning Irish point to pointer who ran twice for current handler in 2015, going close on debut at Kelso over 2m6f. Absent though for 1019 days and more than likely to be better for this after such a lay-off.

Form: FP1622/

The Steward^p³³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: James Moffatt| OR: 109| D

2/1

3-11 at up to two miles on AW. Placed all five starts over hurdles including second to Clemento here in May. Now 9lb better off for just over two lengths so has obvious claims but is a touch one paced.

Form: 2-2232

You'll Do^t⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes

40/1

10-race maiden who has shown little to speak of both on the Flat and over hurdles. Expected to find things tough once again.

Form: 0/57

Stop Talking⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish

25/1

Maiden point to pointer, half-sister to a 3m hurdles winner. Makes little appeal on paper and will find this tough unless market tells a different story.

Form: PP-33

Forecasts

The Steward (2/1), Fort Jefferson (5/2), Clemento (4/1), Icefall (4/1), Sunny West (12/1), Stop Talking (25/1), You'll Do (40/1)

FORT JEFFERSON is fancied to concede weight here having shown enough in his win and a place at Bangor to suggest he is up to taking this, especially on easier ground than of late. Main danger may emerge from The Steward, who has been knocking on the door and won't be far away. He is better off at the weights with his C&D conqueror Clemento who may still be very much in the thick of the argument. Icefall should win a race but needs to improve a little on what he's shown so far.