Seel & Co Mares' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 3m 47.11s

Belle Na Bann⁷²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland

10/1

50/1, encouraging third in bumper at Sligo (18f, good to soft) on NH debut 72 days ago on sole run for Paul Traynor. Goes hurdling now and highly respected. Yard also has Hashtag Val in though.

Form: 3

Blue Heather^t³⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁵⁾| T: B Lund

20/1

Runner-up on hurdling bow in 2019 for Gavin Cromwell but pulled up in novice at Wexford 11 months ago on sole outing for Thomas Coyle. Has plenty to prove on her comeback for another new handler.

Form: 46225/P-

Current Mood²¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

7/4

Second in Wexford bumper (20f, soft) on NH debut 7 months ago for Liam Kenny. Makes hurdles debut for new stable now and she can't be discounted.

Form: 3/23112-

Drash On Ruby²³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott

10/3

Best run in bumpers when third of 8 at Ascot (15.7f, soft, 6/1) 7 months ago. Needs considering on her return/hurdles debut.

Form: 543-

Cordey Dancer¹²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien

6/1

Modest 10f maiden on the Flat in France. In very good hands, so one for the shortlist on her hurdling/yard bow.

Form:

Hashtag Val³⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland

10/3

Evens, showed fairly useful form when debut third in juvenile hurdle at Fontainebleau (17.6f, soft) 11 months ago. Yard going well, so she's the one to beat here.

Form: 33-

Non-Runners

Whenthepennydrops²³⁸

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Current Mood (7/4), Drash On Ruby (10/3), Hashtag Val (10/3), Cordey Dancer (6/1), Whenthepennydrops (6/1), Belle Na Bann (10/1), Blue Heather (20/1)

Not the easiest of races to assess, but HASHTAG VAL looked a useful prospect when third on her sole run over hurdles in France last autumn and with her new yard among the winners she is taken to make light of her absence. Both Cordey Dancer and Whenthepennydrops make their hurdling debuts for leading yards and are feared most, especially if the betting speaks in their favour.