bet365 Select Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:07 | Winning time: 5m 26.20s

McFabulous^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| D

4/1

Dual Grade 2 winner last season who returned with good second in Relkeel at Cheltenham before below-par fourth in 3m Cleeve Hurdle there in January. Signs of a revival sporting first-time cheekpieces at Aintree earlier this month but on the down side, lacked punch at the end. This easier.

Form: 128-243

Fusil Raffles⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 149| BF| D

2/1

Very smart chaser who won Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (24.2f) before good fourth off 152 on handicap debut at Cheltenham in December. Not so good at Doncaster since but the sort to bounce back quickly.

Form: 2P-2145

Scaramanga^p¹⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 150| C

6/4

Useful performer on the Flat and was an improved model in handicap hurdles last spring, winning at Newbury and at this corresponding meeting. Well held in the Cesarewitch when last seen back in October but bold showing anticipated with the cheekpieces back on.

Form: 170/311-

Indefatigable³⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Rex Dingle| T: P R Webber| OR: 146| D

11/2

Consistent mare who was runner-up in this last season and landed a Grade 2 at Wetherby in October. Seemed to be running another good race at the Festival before coming to grief 2 out (yet to be asked for effort) so no surprise to see her involved provided that spill hasn't left a mark.

Form: 2-1623F

Forecasts

Scaramanga (6/4), Fusil Raffles (2/1), McFabulous (4/1), Indefatigable (11/2)

Tough to split this quartet but tentative preference is for SCARAMANGA. Paul Nicholls' charge was an improved model over timber last spring, and having taken the final race on this corresponding card last season, he's taken to pick up where he left off in this sphere. There were more positive signs for stablemate Mcfabulous at Aintree earlier this month so he shades the vote for second over Indefatigable.