Riverside Stratford Restaurant Open To All Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:52 | Winning time: 5m 22.45s

Armchair Farmer^t1¹⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: C Brace| T: F O'BrienWS

6/1

Didn't achieve much when sixth in 2 bumpers last year (trained in Ireland on debut) but still early days with this good stable. Has had wind surgery (also tongue tied) ahead of this switch to hurdles.

Form: 65/66-

Give Me A Cuddle²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King

2/1

Promise in bumpers this spring, winning at Huntingdon 4 weeks ago. Plenty of stamina in his pedigree so this longer trip should suit now hurdling. Leading claims.

Form: 621-

Glengeever^p1²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Rex Dingle| T: B Lund| OR: 108

5/2

Fair form over hurdles, finishing runner-up in maiden/novice events at Fontwell and Ffos Las on her last 2 outings. Another prominent showing on the cards. Cheekpieces on first time.

Form: 226322-

Hoochygoochyman²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: N Lampard

300/1

No show in bumpers/novice hurdles (tailed-off last of 3 latest). Big outsider again.

Form: 5/00663-

Royal Lake⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: O Sherwood| OR: 110

2/1

Easily best run over hurdles last term when runner-up in 21f Warwick maiden at the end of March. Unlikely to be too far away if showing up here in similar form.

Form: F/3972-

Forecasts

Give Me A Cuddle (2/1), Royal Lake (2/1), Glengeever (5/2), Armchair Farmer (6/1), Hoochygoochyman (300/1)

Given how stoutly bred he is it's encouraging that GIVE ME A CUDDLE has shown enough speed to win a bumper so he gets the nod to make a winning start to his hurdle career over this significantly longer trip. Glengeever and Royal Lake can follow him home in that order.