12:47 Uttoxeter

Saturday 28 January 2023

All12:1512:4713:2713:5714:3215:0715:4216:17

Greenbank Group UK Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div 1)

Off time: 12:49 | Winning time: 4m 0.92s

Benassi³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy

15/8

Made the frame all completed starts in Irish points and shaped with plenty of encouragement when a strong-finishing third of 17 on Rules debut in Wetherby novice (2m) last month. Major player here with improvement on the cards.

Form: 43F3-3

Finest Hour²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies

28/1

Beaten a fair way sole completed start between the flags and recent Rules debut in a Wincanton maiden hurdle was low-key, suggesting that he's probably more one for the longer-term.

Form: 4-U0

General Hubble³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

18/1

Failed to trouble the judge on his first 2 starts at Leicester last month and likely to be seen in a better light when going down the handicap route in due course.

Form: 59

Libor Lad^t³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: David Dennis

150/1

Down the field in a couple of bumpers and difficult to make a case for here following a tame opener over hurdles at Taunton.

Form: 9-90

Mr Hailstone⁶³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Luke Scott⁽⁷⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland

9/2

Showed plenty of ability in bumpers for Shane Donohoe in 2021, runner-up on latest start at Ayr in May of that year. Subsequent absence naturally a concern ahead of this hurdles debut for new connections but he needs a second look in the betting.

Form: 58/2-

Pedley Wood²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: J Tizzard

15/2

Successful sole outing in points but just minor promise in 2 starts over hurdles to date, latterly when fifth of 11 in a 21.4f novice at Wincanton. This drop back in trip is of dubious benefit and he's another who will be of greater interest when switched to handicaps.

Form: 1-65

Saturday Song⁵⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King

6/1

Placed on the first of his 2 starts in bumpers for Gary Brown and looked in need of the experience when third (beaten 24 lengths) on hurdles debut over 2½m here in July 2021. Entitled to need the run following an 18-month absence.

Form: 38/3-

Via Dante^h¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe

150/1

Maiden pointer who has finished nearer last than first both starts in this sphere at Taunton. Like several of these, low-grade handicaps are likely to be more his bag further down the line.

Form: 5488

Warner's Cross¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B Roberts⁽⁷⁾| T: C Hobson

200/1

Nearer last than first in a bumper on Rules debut here in November and fared little better starting out over hurdles at Huntingdon recently.

Form: 3P-70

Dolly Bird⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Bryan Carver| T: C Honour

80/1

Related to winners but went with little encouragement in a Warwick bumper on debut in November.

Form: 0

Gaye Legacy³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Benjamin Poste| T: T Symonds

22/1

Shaped well when runner-up only start in bumpers. Could only manage sixth of 14 in a well-run 2m Hereford novice on her hurdling debut but should do better somewhere down the line.

Form: 26

Iconic Rock³⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Jay Tidball⁽⁷⁾| T: A Ralph

33/1

In the process of showing more than on her hurdles debut when falling heavily last in novice hurdle at Ffos Las 11 months ago, disputing third at the time. Has since left Warren Greatrex and, chances are, she'll come on for the run.

Form: 26F-

Milans Edge⁶³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Theo Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| BF| D

3/1

Won sole start in points and Wetherby bumper before promising second of 6 in novice hurdle at Hexham (16.2f) on hurdles bow in May 2021. Subsequent absence is an obvious concern but she nevertheless has to enter calculations for the yard that won both divisions of this race last year.

Form: 110/2-

Non-Runners

Black Sam Vicki⁹²

Weight: 11-1| Age: 5

T: A Ralph J: Alex Edwards

Forecasts

Benassi (15/8), Milans Edge (3/1), Mr Hailstone (9/2), Saturday Song (6/1), Pedley Wood (15/2), General Hubble (18/1), Gaye Legacy (22/1), Finest Hour (28/1), Iconic Rock (33/1), Black Sam Vicki (50/1), Dolly Bird (80/1), Libor Lad (150/1), Via Dante (150/1), Warner's Cross (200/1)

Having caught the eye when staying on well into third on his Rules debut at Wetherby, BENASSI is likely to prove hard to beat with improvement on the cards. Milans Edge is the clear main danger, despite returning from a lengthy absence, while Mr Hailstone, who was also last seen out back in May 2021, is one to note in the betting.