13:00 Uttoxeter

Saturday 11 February 2023

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

QuinnBet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:00 | Winning time: 5m 55.4s

Benign Dictator^p1⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Fergus Gregory| T: O Murphy| OR: 113| C

9/1

Bumper winner at this course who has made the frame on each of his four completed starts over hurdles, though not at his best when fourth of 14 in a C&D maiden (heavy) on New Year's Eve. Capable of getting involved with cheekpieces applied.

Form: 8242-B4

Bury Walls²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Alex Edwards⁽³⁾| T: Simon Edwards

200/1

Runner-up on second of 2 starts in points. However, offered little in a pair of bumpers at Worcester and fared no better when pulled up on hurdling debut at Huntingdon last month.

Form: 7-268P

Harjo^t⁴³

4/1

Irish point winner who made promising hurdling debut when second at Carlisle in October. Shaped as if in need of longer trip when third at this course (19.9f) the following month, before a below-par effort last time. Can bounce back following a wind op.

Form: F1-230

Hauraki Gulf¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Chris Ward⁽³⁾| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 116

18/5

Warwick bumper winner on debut in December 2021 and went close at the second time of asking over hurdles back at Warwick (19f) in February last year. After 11 months off, also runner-up at Hereford 12 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 142-2

Home Sweet Highway⁵¹

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

22/1

Runner-up completed start in Irish points and would have been placed but for a late fall on hurdles debut at Ayr in November. Failed to progress from that effort at the same course (21.4f) next outing, but he remains capable of better.

Form: P/2-F4

Howaya Now⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey

9/1

Made the frame both completed starts in Irish points and made an encouraging start under Rules when runner-up in maiden hurdle at Ffos Las (2m4f) in November. Only fifth of 14 in novice at Wetherby next time, though it remains early days.

Form: 2F-425

Lindaka^p1¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: R T Dunne| T: Ian Williams

200/1

Every chance when fell last sole point start. Faded into a remote sixth in a Warwick bumper on Rules debut and, after over a year off, badly needed the experience when well held on hurdling bow at Doncaster 15 days ago. Cheekpieces on first time.

Form: F6-8

Park Hill Dancer⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Sean O'Briain⁽¹⁰⁾| T: N J Henderson

11/10

Successful in a point bumper and justified favouritism with ease in a bumper at Exeter in March last year. After 8 months off, shaped well when runner-up in novice at Market Rasen (20.6f) on hurdling bow in December. Leading contender.

Form: 11-2

Forecasts

Park Hill Dancer (11/10), Hauraki Gulf (18/5), Harjo (4/1), Benign Dictator (9/1), Howaya Now (9/1), Home Sweet Highway (22/1), Bury Walls (200/1), Lindaka (200/1)

PARK HILL DANCER may have lost his unbeaten record on his hurdling debut last time, but he was beaten only by a bright prospect (the winner has scored again since) so he can go one better this time around. Hauraki Gulf ran well on his reappearance and can be the one to give the selection most to think about, ahead of Harjo.