Actuate Marketing Novices' Hurdle

Off time: 15:11 | Winning time: 4m 8.75s

Grey Diamond¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 122

9/4

Was an easy winner at Chepstow 12 days ago (showing that he suffered no damage when he fell on his penultimate start, at Wetherby in March). Stiffer test at the weights but going the right way and entitled to be on the premises.

Form: 4554F1-

Bullionaire^t1⁵⁰²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| BFWS

6/5

Caught the eye and imagination with two solid effort in bumpers a couple of seasons ago but has to be a concern he's not been seen out since. First run since wind surgery; the betting will be useful.

Form: 12/

Endless Flight⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner

40/1

Has shown some ability in bumpers but was tailed off on hurdles debut in March and has plenty to prove on a literal reading of that performance.

Form: 35/347-

Kauto The King^t⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 118

10/3

Steadily getting the hang of things and posted his best effort over hurdles to date when second to a decent type last time out. That form looks reliable and the gelding would be dangerous to underestimate.

Form: 3/45462-

Postman²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins

66/1

Showed a respectable level of form over middle distances on the Flat in France and wasn't knocked about on hurdling debut at Wincanton last month. Might have more to offer but does need to take a step forward.

Form: 6-

Zulu¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Miss G Haywood

250/1

A modest maiden on the Flat and was tailed off well before being pulled up on his hurdles debut here last month. hard to recommend on that evidence.

Form: P-

Valentino Dancer³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy

12/1

Won over an extended mile on the Flat last May and has joined a yard capable of freshening him up for this switch in codes. Jockey booking could hardly be more positive even though he lacks experience over hurdles. Worth a betting check.

Form:

Forecasts

Bullionaire (6/5), Grey Diamond (9/4), Kauto The King (10/3), Valentino Dancer (12/1), Endless Flight (40/1), Postman (66/1), Zulu (250/1)

The betting will be informative as most are open to improvement; not least BULLOIONAIRE, who was a comfortable winner of a bumper on debut and showed a good attitude in his only other previous start. The market can guide as to how he's thrived since then but he certainly has the stamp of a horse that is capable of more progress. Similar comments apply to Grey Diamond, who has a fitness edge over the selection but has to concede 6lb for his win at Chepstow last month. Kauto The King looks a reliable yardstick and he edges out hurdles debutante Valentino Dancer as potentially the best of the rest.