MansionBet Proud To Support British Racing Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:47 | Winning time: 4m 19.27s

Black Abbey²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: D A Jacob| T: H Whittington| OR: 112

20/1

Fair Flat winner in France who regressed after a promising start over hurdles last season and fared no better on last month's Plumpton return. Has enough to prove at present.

Form: 2270-5

Copperless²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy

13/8

Brother to useful hurdler Copper Kay. Showed ability only start in bumpers and did the same sent hurdling after 11 months off/wind op when second of 9 in Perth novice (16.2f). Sure to improve.

Form: 3-2

Geomatrician¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: David England| T: O Murphy

150/1

Fair maiden on the Flat (stays 1¼m) who is in good hands but offered little on last month's Bangor hurdling debut.

Form: 7

Hooper⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson

5/6

Improved on the back of a wind op/10 months off to make his second bumper outing a winning one at Stratford (16.3f), getting first run in slowly-run affair. In top hands so should make a hurdler.

Form: 6-1

Le Boulevardier^b1¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: O Sherwood

9/1

Fair form when placed all 3 starts in bumpers this summer. Unseated rider at the first on Fontwell hurdle debut last time and blinkers now go on.

Form: 322U

New Moon^t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey

40/1

Hinted at ability returning from a long absence in a tongue tie on Uttoxeter hurdle debut last month, but can only be watched for the time being.

Form: 9/7

Pennine Cross²²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby

33/1

Much sharper second start in bumpers when springing a surprise at Catterick in December, but has underperformed twice since. Makes hurdle debut after 7 months off.

Form: 6193-

Forecasts

Hooper (5/6), Copperless (13/8), Le Boulevardier (9/1), Black Abbey (20/1), Pennine Cross (33/1), New Moon (40/1), Geomatrician (150/1)

HOOPER and Copperless look the pair to focus on. The former quickened clear in a modestly-run affair to make his second bumper outing a winning one at Stratford last month, so may be better equipped for this type of test than his more stoutly-bred rival.