Happy 60th Birthday Maggie Harrison Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 15.06s

Gentle Connections^p²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Fergus Gregory| T: D Skelton| OR: 108

10/11

Justified support in impressive fashion in first-time cheekpieces in 10-runner maiden at Southwell (20.4f, good) 24 days ago, making most. Looks capable of defying a penalty.

Form: 35261-

Racy Lacey²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: David England| T: O Murphy

7/4

Fair maiden at up to 14f on the Flat and made a successful debut over hurdles in tidy fashion after 6 months off at Market Rasen (16.6f) 20 days ago, drawing clear after produced to lead run-in. That was a weak race, but she can improve.

Form: 1-

Its A Midnight⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Mulqueen| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

6/1

Stepped up on debut effort when third of 12 in bumper at Ayr (16f, heavy) 81 days ago, keeping on grade. Bred to make a hurdler but may come into her own over longer trips.

Form: 53-

Noble Affair²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: Mrs J Walton| OR: 96

16/1

Showed first form when third in a small-field novice at this course (20.1f, good to soft, 250/1) 26 days ago, though was probably flattered.

Form: 8763-

Pasture Beach^t¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell

125/1

Placed on second of 2 outings in bumpers but made no impact on hurdles debut at Perth 16 days ago. Probably one for later.

Form: 935-

Tykenwear¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Callum Bewley| T: J J Davies

125/1

Little impact in various events on Flat.

Form:

Forecasts

Gentle Connections (10/11), Racy Lacey (7/4), Its A Midnight (6/1), Noble Affair (16/1), Pasture Beach (125/1), Tykenwear (125/1)

GENTLE CONNECTIONS justified support in impressive fashion at Southwell last month and looks capable of defying a penalty on that evidence. Racy Lacey probably didn't beat much at Market Rasen but can improve and rates the obvious threat.