Racing UK HD Introductory Hurdle

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 6.25s

Shannon Hill¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King

7/4

Beat the only other finisher in a point-to-point before making all to land a poor maiden hurdle in a slow time a fortnight ago. Faces a stiff task under a penalty but holds a fitness advantage over his chief rival.

Form: 1-1

Geordie B²¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Aidan Coleman| T: Miss V Williams

4/1

Geordieland gelding who was bought for £40,000 as a three-year-old and is a half-brother to a couple of winners over hurdles. Made all to win an uncompetitive Hereford bumper in April and yard ended a lean spell yesterday.

Form: 1-

Samarquand^h²⁰⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry

6/4

Malinas gelding purchased for £38,000. Half-brother to the useful Warriors Tale so has the stamina for this test. Beat a useful looking field in a Wincanton bumper and makes hurdles debut with yard showing signs of hitting form.

Form: 1-

Annie Bonny²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

10/1

Winner of a modest point-to-point in Ireland and bought for £30,000 afterwards. Showed some ability despite looking in need of the experience on hurdling debut and no surprise if she performed a lot better here.

Form: 1-5

Burn Baby Byrne²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Isabel Williams| T: Evan Williams

16/1

Her point-to-point form lacked substance and, although she has shown some promise under rules, she looks highly tried in this sort of company.

Form: 12133

Forecasts

Samarquand (6/4), Shannon Hill (7/4), Geordie B (4/1), Annie Bonny (10/1), Burn Baby Byrne (16/1)

Evan Williams has a 3-6 record in this but his two mares, Annie Bonny and Burn Baby Byrne, face difficult tasks here against the boys. Geordie B is one to watch in the market with his yard back amongst the winners but this should be fought out between Shannon Hill and SAMARQUAND. The former is flattered by his achievements to date but his fitness advantage and proven stamina have to be respected. Nevertheless, the selection looked a good prospect when taking a hot bumper on debut and his pedigree dictates he should do even better now jumping over this sort of trip.