Harrogate Spring Water Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 5m 25.30s

Clondaw Fixer^t⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathon Bewley⁽³⁾| T: G Bewley

80/1

Point-to-point second who was last on his only completed start under rules and has pulled up three times since. Others readily preferred.

Form: 24/PP-P

Decor Irlandais⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: C J Orr⁽⁵⁾| T: N C Kelly

11/4

Runner-up in an Irish bumper last August and has won four of his eight point-to-point starts since, on good or softer. Market check suggested.

Form: F1P1-21

Maison D'Or³²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 107

33/1

0-6 over hurdles. Placed once in France (2m, vsoft), but beaten a long way here last month. Needs to be much better this time.

Form: P852P/4

The Steward^p¹⁶⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Bewley| T: James Moffatt| OR: 113

8/1

Has three AW wins to his name, the last in 2016. Placed in 8-9 hurdles so far, including in this race last year (beaten over 18L into third, when 2lb higher). Makes the short-list, but clearly vulnerable for win purposes.

Form: 322224-

Urban Legend³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Henry Brooke| T: B Ellison

9/1

Got up close home to win a maiden Irish point on debut last month. Not sold £18,000 days later, but bought privately since and makes rules debut. Dam a half-sister to two hurdles (one also chase) winners. Market check suggested.

Form: 1

Winding Roe²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

15/8

Third on debut in a Navan bumper when with Margaret Mullins in February. Similar effort when also third on hurdles debut for this stable at Bangor recently. Step up in trip looks positive and he should be thereabouts.

Form: 3-3

Late Again^p²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-9| J: Adam Wedge| T: C Byrnes| OR: 109

11/4

Mare who has found the going tough in Ireland, but whose best effort at Limerick, when 8L third in a maiden hurdle in April (2m3f, good) would give her a squeak. Needs to be much better than her last two runs, however.

Form: 4F53F-4

Forecasts

Winding Roe (15/8), Decor Irlandais (11/4), Late Again (11/4), The Steward (8/1), Urban Legend (9/1), Maison D'Or (33/1), Clondaw Fixer (80/1)

Urban Legend looks an interesting newcomer for Brian Ellison and should be noted in the market, along with successful pointer Decor Irlandais. However, we'll side with the greater rules experience of WINDING ROE, who ran well on his hurdles debut and should be suited by this step up in trip. The Steward is an obvious contender, but remains vulnerable, while a precautionary market check is also suggested for Maison D'Or.