Unibet Elite Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 3m 29.50s

Sceau Royal²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: D A Jacob| T: A King| OR: 158| CD

4/5

Very smart hurdler/chaser who made a winning return in 2m listed hurdle at Kempton last month by 3½l from Silver Streak. Took this event 12 months ago, so another bold bid is very much on the cards.

Form: 4F153-1

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Belfast Banter^t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Kevin Sexton| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 144

6/1

Ended last term with wins in County Hurdle at Cheltenham and Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree and running well (held in 5th) when fell last in Listowel handicap last time. This is a tough ask, though.

Form: 6211-0F

Sole Pretender^h¹⁰⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: N Lee| OR: 150

3/1

Smart Irish hurdler who landed Grade 3 at Tipperary in July before good eighth of 20 to Saldier in Galway Hurdle. Likeable sort, but more is needed in this company, however.

Form: 15/15-18

Christopher Wood^p,t¹⁷⁹

16/1

Smart handicap hurdler who quickly reverts to this sphere after failing to land the odds in 2m Sedgefield novice chase in May. Had a wind op too, so he can't be dismissed for his in-form yard.

Form: 92182-3

Hatcher¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 142

66/1

Smart chaser who posted good third in 2m Cheltenham handicap a fortnight ago. Has his first run over hurdles since 2018 here, but he is no forlorn hope for yard among the winners.

Form: 61-1163

Teqany^t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 145

14/1

Very useful hurdler who had been in winning form on the Flat before good third to Sceau Royal in listed event at Kempton 20 days ago. Also runner-up in this event 12 months ago, so needs considering.

Form: 41142-3

Non-Runners

Goshen¹⁹⁰

Weight: 11-6| Age: 5

T: G & J Moore J: J E Moore

Forecasts

Sceau Royal (4/5), Goshen (9/4), Sole Pretender (3/1), Belfast Banter (6/1), Teqany (14/1), Christopher Wood (16/1), Hatcher (66/1)

Last year's victor SCEAU ROYAL teed himself up perfectly for a repeat performance when comfortably accounting for Silver Streak at Kempton last month, so Alan King's likeable sort can fend off Kingwell scorer Goshen, who could easily bounce back now with his yard among the winners. Christoper Wood can't be ruled out either if a wind op ekes out some more improvement.