Thank You NHS Introductory Hurdle

Off time: 14:23 | Winning time: 4m 9.30s

Hooligan²⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: James Bowen| T: T R George| D

6/4

€44,000 3-y-o, Aizavoski gelding. Half-brother to useful hurdler Mr Antolini. Left bumper effort well behind when springing a surprise in 13-runner novice hurdle at Warwick in March, finding plenty.

Form: 51-

Mackenberg³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr

4/5

Point recruit who looked useful when cruising clear in a Carlisle bumper on first time under Rules. Also looked good on hurdles debut at that venue last month and there's more to come.

Form: UF/14-1

Chief Craftsman⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Callum Bewley| T: T D Easterby

25/1

Fair on Flat, stays 14.5f, good fourth at Haydock in September. This looks a suitable starting point over hurdles.

Form:

Kyoto Star¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby

80/1

Modest Flat winner who ran to a similar level when mid-field on hurdles bow over C&D last month. Runner-up on the AW since but looks a handicap project under Rules.

Form: 7

Masteroftheheights²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Kielan Woods| T: M F Harris

9/1

Flat bred and made a winning debut at 25/1 in a Fontwell bumper in September. Fared as well as could be expected when sixth in a much better race last month and now goes hurdling.

Form: 16

Forecasts

Mackenberg (4/5), Hooligan (6/4), Masteroftheheights (9/1), Chief Craftsman (25/1), Kyoto Star (80/1)

No surprise were this to develop into a match between previous hurdles winners MACKENBERG and Hooligan. The former has race fitness on his side, and as a previous bumper winner, he may also possess the better turn of foot, so he gets the nod.