William Hill Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 6m 40.35s

Third Wind³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: H Morrison| OR: 144| CD

16/5

Improved to land this race 12 months ago and dispelled pair of lesser efforts in Grade 1 company when third in a Pertemps qualifier at Warwick (25f) in January. Fancied to give another good account.

Form: 251P-73

Thomas Darby^t⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 155| D

7/2

Back to best when landing Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m) in November. Similar form without convincing with finishing effort when fourth in Long Walk since and he rates a big player here.

Form: 303-414

Emitom^p²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: W Greatrex| OR: 140| CD

14/1

Smart hurdler in his pomp who failed to scale same heights over fences and not at his best despite finishing second in a Lingfield minor hurdle latest, behind Top Ville Ben. Others preferred.

Form: 36P-232

Top Ville Ben^h²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 140| C| D

9/2

Rowland Meyrick winner at Wetherby in 2019. Exploits distinctly mixed since but back to winning ways in Lingfield minor hurdle (23f) last month, from Emitom. That form doesn't look solid, however.

Form: 3/P5F31

Wholestone⁴⁵⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 142| D

16/1

Smart staying hurdler who scored twice over fences during light 2019 campaign. In process of running well when falling in a C&D handicap when last seen in November 2020. Has gone well fresh.

Form: 0121/5F-

Molly Ollys Wishes^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 145| D

2/1

Very likeable mare who boasts a good strike rate, landing Grade 2 mares' event at Ascot (23.5f) on her latest outing in January. Remains low-mileage at around 3m and she's worth considering.

Form: 113-151

Forecasts

Molly Ollys Wishes (2/1), Third Wind (16/5), Thomas Darby (7/2), Top Ville Ben (9/2), Emitom (14/1), Wholestone (16/1)

MOLLY OLLYS WISHES boasts a good strike rate over hurdles, adding a small-field Grade 2 to her tally at Ascot in January. She's still low-mileage at around 3m, and conditions will hold no fears for Dan Skelton's 8-y-o so she is fancied to make a bold bid. Thomas Darby, who landed the Long Distance Hurdle 2 starts back, and last year's winner Third Wind head up the dangers.