bet365 Hurdle (Registered As The West Yorkshire Hurdle) (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 5m 45.03s

Old Guard¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153

15/8

Grade 2 winner at Fontwell last year and returned with a solid effort at Kempton last month in Listed company. A return to this trip is a concern having shaped like a non-stayer at previous attempts at similar distances.

Form: 54174-2

High Secret¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

22/1

Inconsistent sort who was well beaten in a Listed race at Kempton last time. Yet to prove he stays behind 2m4f and others make more appeal.

Form: 317724

Keeper Hill¹⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: W Greatrex| OR: 138| D

7/2

Won a Grade 2 over fences at Doncaster last season but his jumping let him down for the remainder of the campaign. A return to hurdles looks like a smart move for this campaign and his stamina is proven for this trip. Each-way claims.

Form: 121FFP-

Monbeg Theatre^p,t¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 143| CD

7/4

C&D winner last time out when recording a belated hat-trick and the front two pulled a long way clear (Nautical Nitwit runner-up). Will need a sizable step forward to play a part at this level and not guaranteed to get an uncontested lead.

Form: P231-11

Nautical Nitwit^p¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 143| C| D

15/2

Only narrowly denied by Monbeg Theatre over C&D last time and arrives 3lb better off at the weights this time around. Will need more against these rivals but not with out an each-way shout.

Form: 5-64182

Non-Runners

Wholestone¹⁸⁹

Weight: 11-6| Age: 7

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: D A Jacob

Clyne²⁰⁵

Weight: 11-0| Age: 8

T: Evan Williams J: Adam Wedge

Forecasts

Wholestone (11/8), Monbeg Theatre (7/4), Old Guard (15/8), Keeper Hill (7/2), Clyne (7/1), Nautical Nitwit (15/2), High Secret (22/1)

WHOLESTONE was a model of consistency throughout last season and is expected to be hard to beat if ready to go on his return. Keeper Hill could be the main danger back over hurdles while Nautical Nitwit may be able to reverse the form with Monbeg Theatre from their course and distance clash last time, 3lb better off at the weights.