Duke Of Lancaster Academy, Fakenham Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 5m 9.23s

Copshill Lad^t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Bradley Harris⁽⁷⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 107

11/8

Ready winner of Stratford bumper last May. Good start over hurdles when third in 18.5f Exeter maiden on New Year's Day (strong form). Underwhelming in 3 starts subsequently but still merits consideration in a weak event.

Form: 2/13453-

Fulgurant⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: Mrs S J Humphrey

20/1

Placed on completed start in points but dropped away quickly once headed in a Huntingdon bumper on Rules debut in March. Upped in trip now hurdling.

Form: 3PF/8-

Hobie¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Theo Gillard| T: David Dennis

40/1

Successful on second of 2 starts in Irish points but was too free in an Exeter bumper on last month's Rules debut.

Form: 410-

It Had To Be Shaw⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Lee Edwards| T: Mrs M Rowley

66/1

Shirocco gelding. Half-brother to fairly useful 2m hurdle winner/useful chaser Coach Carter. Dam (c123/h121) 2½m-3m hurdle/chase winner. Attracted support but was too headstrong to meet expectations in a Hereford bumper on debut in February.

Form: 6-

State Of Bliss⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King

3/1

Fairly useful on Flat (stays 1½m) for the Johnston stable and was much improved from hurdling debut when third in 11-runner novice at Kempton (2m) last week. Longer trip should be within range given how he shaped that day and has an excellent chance.

Form: 5-3

Way Out²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: M G Nolan| T: S Hosie| OR: 109

7/4

Irish point winner and displayed plenty of ability on first 2 starts in bumpers. In-and-out form over hurdles so far, though one of better efforts when fifth of 13 in handicap at Wincanton (21.4f) 23 days ago. Leading form player.

Form: 286285-

Moirai^p1⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: C O'Farrell| T: Miss A Murphy

66/1

Beaten a long way in 2 juvenile events in March. Up in trip. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 57-

Forecasts

Copshill Lad (11/8), Way Out (7/4), State Of Bliss (3/1), Fulgurant (20/1), Hobie (40/1), Moirai (66/1), It Had To Be Shaw (66/1)

STATE OF BLISS showed much more than on his hurdling debut when third at Kempton last week, and with the longer trip likely to be within range given how he rallied that day, he's selected to open his account in this sphere. Way Out and Copshill Lad look the other key players in a notably thin race.