Elite Reception 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:19 | Winning time: 3m 47.60s

Blue Shark²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill

25/1

Down the field in 2 bumpers a year apart. Is bred to do better over hurdles but can only be watched at present.

Form: 6-7

Halligator²²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

8/13

Produced a promising first effort when second in a Galway bumper (16.4f, heavy) on NH debut 7 months ago, albeit no match for the winner. Sold out of Declan Queally's yard for £40,000 subsequently and has to be of interest on hurdles debut in a race lacking depth.

Form: 2-

Kanukankan¹⁷⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 107

5/1

In the process of making promising debut when unseating 2 out at Exeter in October 2020. Has yet to confirm that promise but had an excuse (bled) at Doncaster when last seen in December and should fare better here.

Form: U6/59-

Bagheera Ginge

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

9/2

£26,000 3-y-o, Clovis Du Berlais gelding. Half-brother to modest 3m chase winner Champ Is Real and point winner Prime Pretender. Market for clues.

Form:

Sarsen⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King

17/2

Showed a bit on 2 of his 3 starts in bumpers without looking anything flash. More needed on hurdles debut.

Form: 405-

Dreaming Of Glory^t⁴²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Max Kendrick| T: F O'BrienWS

28/1

Just modest form at best in bumpers so needs to find plenty of improvement for this switch to hurdling after 14 months off and another breathing operation.

Form: U066/

Non-Runners

Merchant House⁵⁸³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: R G Hawker J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Halligator (8/13), Bagheera Ginge (9/2), Kanukankan (5/1), Sarsen (17/2), Blue Shark (25/1), Dreaming Of Glory (28/1), Merchant House (66/1)

HALLIGATOR produced a promising first effort when runner-up in a Galway bumper for Declan Queally back in August, so he's a straightforward choice to go one better on his hurdles debut for a new yard in a race lacking depth. Kanukankan is still to confirm the promise of his debut but had an excuse on his latest start and can fare better here.