Philip & Carol Houldey Golden Wedding Anniversary 'National Hunt' Auction Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 12:26 | Winning time: 4m 48.7s

A Distant Place³³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: K Brogan⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 122

8/15

Winning pointer who made the frame on each of his 3 starts over hurdles, close second on handicap bow at Leicester (20.5f, heavy) latest. Sets a decent standard.

Form: 3F1/422-

Bilboa River⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: W T Kennedy| T: R J Price

40/1

Maiden pointer who was comfortably held on his first 2 starts under Rules for previous connections in Ireland during the summer. Big step forward needed here.

Form: 73-4740

Chanceux²³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: A Ralph

8/1

Placed on 2 of his 3 starts in bumpers last season, but significant improvement will be needed if he's to play a leading role on this hurdles debut.

Form: 243-

The Plimsoll Line²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott

9/4

Third both starts in bumpers at Exeter last term and encouraging enough of an opener over hurdles when again third on return at Chepstow (2m, good to firm). Looks the main danger to A Distant Place.

Form: 33-3

Brandy Cove²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

22/1

Second in a 4-runner C&D novice hurdle on debut in this sphere last month, but he was no match for the winner on that occasion and minor honours is the surely the best he can hope for.

Form: 02

Light Of Athena^h²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Alan Johns| T: R Harris

150/1

No impact in a trio of bumpers and was behind Brandy Cove when finishing last of 4 on hurdles debut over this C&D 20 days ago.

Form: 000/4

Towtheline²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: David Noonan| T: H Brown

250/1

Runner-up sole start between the flags in April, but subsequently offered precious little in a bumper/maiden hurdle.

Form: 265

Forecasts

A Distant Place (8/15), The Plimsoll Line (9/4), Chanceux (8/1), Brandy Cove (22/1), Bilboa River (40/1), Light Of Athena (150/1), Towtheline (250/1)

This represents a good opportunity for A DISTANT PLACE, who was clear of the rest when going close in a Leicester handicap on his latest start last December. The Plimsoll Line has the benefit of a recent run, having finished third on his debut in this sphere at Chepstow last month, and he will ensure that the selection doesn't have everything his own way. Brandy Cove is best of the rest.