Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 5m 8.17s

Brewin'upastorm^t⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 158| D

9/4

National Spirit winner at Fontwell last term and better than ever when giving weight and a comfortable beating to some smart opposition on his reappearance at Aintree. Probably the one to beat.

Form: 65115-1

Guard Your Dreams²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 147| CD

5/2

Winner of 2½m course handicap on his reappearance and took his form up another notch when landing Grade 2 International over 17f here 3 weeks ago. More needed again here.

Form: 673-131

McFabulous²⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155WS

9/2

Ran out an authoritative winner of this race last season when it was restaged at Kempton but Brewinupastorm was ahead of him at Fontwell and Aintree on his final 2 outings. Has had wind surgery.

Form: 1/13128-

Dans Le Vent⁴²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Isabel Williams| T: Evan Williams| OR: 142| D

33/1

Versatile sort who was second in 2m Welsh Champion Hurdle on his reappearance before bagging a valuable 3m handicap at Haydock. Plenty of improvement needed at this level, though.

Form: 4482-21

On The Blind Side^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 150| C| D

14/1

Smart hurdler who reappeared with good second in Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November but failed to back it up in Long Walk at Ascot since. Second to McFabulous in this last year (at Kempton).

Form: 1365-26

Stormy Ireland³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150| D

4/1

Won at Punchestown in the spring. Off 6 months, 36 lengths sixth to Honeysuckle in Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse in November but she may come on for run. Yard's runners here always respected.

Form: 29211-6

Non-Runners

Indefatigable²¹

Weight: 10-13| Age: 9

T: P R Webber J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Brewin'upastorm (9/4), Guard Your Dreams (5/2), Stormy Ireland (4/1), McFabulous (9/2), Indefatigable (11/2), On The Blind Side (14/1), Dans Le Vent (33/1)

BREWIN'UPASTORM looked better than ever when winning on his Aintree reappearance and is fancied to confirm his National Spirit superiority over McFabulous, who took this race last season (at Kempton) and should go well on his return after wind surgery. Stormy Ireland is an interesting contender for Willie Mullins.