Burlington Stone Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 4m 23.38s

Quickbuck²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 114

11/4

Improved to win weak-looking 4-runner event on handicap debut at Ffos Las in April. Possibly amiss when pulled up in similar race last time but should prove competitive back in a novice.

Form: 29231-P

Arij^h,t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Jonathan England| T: S England

22/1

Twice a winner on the Flat (both on AW) for the Crisford's, but form over hurdles has only been poor and offered nothing on Flat return last month.

Form: 73-

Battle Of Toro^p1²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlotte Jones⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt

15/8

Useful on the Flat and made an encouraging debut in this sphere on first outing since leaving Simon & Ed Crisford when fourth at Carlisle (17f) in February. Need to bounce back from disappointing effort last time, though.

Form: 4-8

Largy Reach²⁰⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain JnrWS

15/8

Runner-up in bumper and shaped well despite the result when last of 4 in muddling event at Wetherby (16f, good to soft) on hurdles bow. No surprise if he does better after 6-month break/wind op.

Form: 324-

Nechako⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: James Moffatt

9/1

Champs Elysees gelding was well out of his depth in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Naas on debut for John Joseph Hanlon in February. Since sold cheaply to new yard.

Form: P/4-

New Zealander^p¹⁹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: L Kerr| OR: 77

66/1

Exposed as poor maiden hurdler and was sold for only £2,000 from Fergal O'Brien's yard in December.

Form: 5684P6-

Non-Runners

Zumbi⁴

Weight: 11-9| Age: 5

T: James Moffatt J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Battle Of Toro (15/8), Largy Reach (15/8), Zumbi (2/1), Quickbuck (11/4), Nechako (9/1), Arij (22/1), New Zealander (66/1)

Not much between several of these, and a chance is taken that LARGY REACH retains the most scope for improvement on just his second go over hurdles. He can come out on top, with Ffos Las-winner Quickbuck feared most now back in a novice.