Robert Case Memorial Conditional Jockeys' Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 3m 50.09s

Grand Inquisitor^v¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Edward Austin⁽⁶⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 120

7/4

Still a maiden over hurdles and blotted his copybook latest, but has claims on the pick of his form and is still open to improvement over hurdles. Has speed from his days on the Flat but may not want the predicted rain to get into the ground.

Form: 47-235

Swaffham Bulbeck^p,t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Cillin Leonard⁽¹⁰⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 117

11/10

Gone well here on a couple of occasions and noteworthy that the cheekpieces are being persevered with after a couple of reasonable efforts. Solid chance if able to take another step forward here.

Form: 25-223

War Drums¹⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Max Kendrick| T: P R Webber

5/1

Only hinted at ability on the Flat and seemed to lose his way for his former yard. Plenty to prove on his first start for Paul Webber and also lacks any experience of jumping hurdles in public.

Form:

Emerald Rocket⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Lewis Stones⁽⁸⁾| T: O Murphy

8/1

Won twice on the AW as a two-year-old but found things frustrating when upped to racing over middle distances. Does have ability and a feasible chance if he can adapt to the winter game. Still plenty of guess work involved at this stage.

Form:

Forecasts

Swaffham Bulbeck (11/10), Grand Inquisitor (7/4), War Drums (5/1), Emerald Rocket (8/1)

With no obvious pace angle, this is likely to be a very tactical affair. In which case, the course experience held by SWAFFHAM BULBECK could be a vital tool. The gelding benefits from a 10lb claimer in the saddle and could be hard to master if using his last couple of starts as a platform. Grand Inquisitor is open to further improvement over hurdles and is likely to pose more of a threat than hurdling debutantes Emerald Rocket and War Drums, who both have a few questions to answer.