Racing Welfare Supporting Racing's Workforce Novices' Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 4m 26.87s

Samba Dancer²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 108

11/8

Cemented a positive start for his new stable with victory in 2½m maiden at Uttoxeter 26 days ago, kept up to work. Remains on a fair mark back in a handicap and another bold bid anticipated.

Form: 05-3521

Galata Bridge¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 110

11/10

Useful Flat performer who built on his hurdling debut promise when winning 8-runner maiden at Plumpton (17.8f) 15 days ago, comfortably. Into handicaps now and open to further improvement.

Form: 21

Ray's The One¹²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 110

22/1

Fair 14f maiden on the Flat who showed an aptitude for hurdling when fourth both starts for this yard last winter. Not disgraced back on the Flat in May but opening hurdling mark demands improvement.

Form: 4V4-

Blueberg^t1¹⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 108WS

9/1

Caught the eye in a pair of Ffos Las novice hurdles finishing with running left and again shaped well in a 2m Southwell handicap on final start in March. Remains unexposed. Had wind op/now tongue tied

Form: 83457-

Thomas Kershaw³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: J W Unett| OR: 101

16/1

Left previous Rules form well behind when causing a shock (80/1) in a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter in May, but disappointing both runs since.

Form: 5P9-133

Lincoln Lyn^t¹⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Burke| T: T R Gretton| OR: 95

66/1

Modest form when second only start in bumpers. Ran to a similar level when fourth in a Plumpton maiden hurdle, but proved too keen at Hexham last time and has been done no favours by the handicapper.

Form: 2P4-5

Non-Runners

Ascot Day²⁵

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: B J Llewellyn J: Robert Williams

Forecasts

Galata Bridge (11/10), Samba Dancer (11/8), Blueberg (9/1), Ascot Day (10/1), Thomas Kershaw (16/1), Ray's The One (22/1), Lincoln Lyn (66/1)

GALATA BRIDGE wasn't all out to keep the runner-up at bay at Plumpton, and with further improvement to come now handicapping, he looks the most appealing candidate. Samba Dancer remains on a fair mark back in a handicap so needs taking seriously, especially given the way his Worcester form on his penultimate start has worked out. Blueberg is another to note returning from wind surgery.