Weatherbys Hamilton Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (Listed)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 3m 56.7s

Soldier On Parade³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 11-1| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 136

6/1

Defeated by Hiconic on hurdle debut but unbeaten in 3 runs since (all at Market Rasen), including comfortably taking revenge on that rival last time. Respected but does have to give weight away.

Form: 2111

Cabot Cliffs^h¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| D

17/2

Steadily progressive on Flat for Charlie Hills and looked a useful recruit to the hurdle ranks when making a successful start at Uttoxeter last month. More to come for last year's winning yard.

Form: 1

Duffle Coat²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: G Elliott| D

11/4

Ready winner of juvenile hurdles at Punchestown and Gowran in recent weeks. Johnson on yard's other runner but suspicion this one won't give up unbeaten record without a fight.

Form: 11

First Impression¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: J & S Quinn| BF

9/2

Developed into a useful Flat performer this year. Promising start over hurdles when going down only narrowly over C&D 16 days ago. Open to improvement.

Form: 2

Longclaw^t⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| D

16/5

Fairly useful maiden on Flat and has taken very well to hurdling, winning all 3 starts, the latest when gamely conceding lots of weight at Listowel. Leading form claims.

Form: 111

Midnights Legacy¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 10-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| BF

10/1

Three-time Flat winner. Related to Midnights' Gift and Giveaway Glance, both winning hurdlers for these connections, but she was 16 lengths behind First Impression on her recent C&D hurdle bow.

Form: 3

Hiconic³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-5| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 128| BF| D

12/1

No great shakes on Flat but different proposition in this sphere, winning first 4 starts. Unbeaten run came to end when only 12 lengths second to Soldier On Parade at Market Rasen last time, though.

Form: 11112

Forecasts

Duffle Coat (11/4), Longclaw (16/5), First Impression (9/2), Soldier On Parade (6/1), Cabot Cliffs (17/2), Midnights Legacy (10/1), Hiconic (12/1)

Gordon Elliott holds a strong hand courtesy of LONGCLAW and Duffle Coat, who both put unbeaten hurdle records on the line. The former is the mount of Richard Johnson and is narrowly preferred. Cabot Cliffs may prove pick of the home contingent in what looks a good renewal of this listed prize.