Christian Alexander And WPS Best Dressed Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 19:20 | Winning time: 4m 32.2s

Ravenhill³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 127

5/6

Looks harshly treated in comparison to his Irish form but has been holding his own in decent enough races to set a good standard, so shouldn't be underestimated. Jockey booking and trainer profile say he'll be popular. Likelihood with good reason.

Form: 4P-2112

Bal De Rio⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Danny Cook| T: B Ellison| OR: 115

1/1

Finished second in five of his six starts over hurdles, so consistency is hard to knock. Also, a positive that he likes this course and the trip should suit. Would appear to be the obvious danger to Ravenhill and looks the safest alternative.

Form: 23222-2

Our Uncle Pat^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-12| J: Alison Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 82

100/1

Still lightly raced and at least comes here after posting the best of his three efforts over hurdles when a well-held third of five at Worcester in June. That performance is still well short of the mark and he needs an awful lot to go his way here.

Form: 603F69

Roberttown Rose¹¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-5| J: W T Kennedy| T: A Crook

100/1

Made very little impression in three bumpers before finishing last on hurdling debut at Hexham in May. Very hard to see her being good enough to trouble the likes of Raven Hill and Bal De Rio on that evidence.

Form: 898-0

Trynwyn^t1

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes

50/1

Latecomer to racing and given her modest breeding and background its hard to envisage this will be a fairytale introduction the sport. Also off-putting that she will wear a tongue tie at this stage of her career.

Form:

Forecasts

Ravenhill (5/6), Bal De Rio (1/1), Trynwyn (50/1), Roberttown Rose (100/1), Our Uncle Pat (100/1)

This is more than likely going to be head-to-head between RAVENHILL and Bal De Rio, with the former taken to brush aside the fact he has to give a stone in weight away to his nearest rival. The Gordon Elliot-trained selection has the better form to his name and is fancied to make his class count. Bal De Rio at least likes this course and can make it a good test. He stands head and shoulders above Roberttwon Rose as the biggest threat.