BDN Construction Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 4m 17.10s

Carrarea^t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford| OR: 122| BF

4/7

Dual bumper winner who went very close to opening his hurdles account in 19f maiden at Kilbeggan on his final outing for Emmet Mullins in September. Well held in a first-time tongue strap on stable debut at Warwick but was probably unsuited by the combination of trip/ground. Sets the standard.

Form: 5236/23-

Endlesspossibility³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Cillin Leonard⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland

33/1

Well held in bumper/completed start over hurdles.

Form: 40P8-

Smart Connection⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: M C Chapman

200/1

Fair at best on Flat for Alice Haynes but no show for this yard and has failed to complete both starts in maiden hurdles (ran out after trying to refuse on most recent outing).

Form: UR-

Tommouse³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Patrick Cowley⁽³⁾| T: L Morgan

15/2

Getaway gelding. Half-brother to 3 winners, including fairly useful hurdler/useful chaser Run To Milan (2¼m-3m winner). Shaped as if better for the run with a hood fitted when fifth of 13 in a maiden hurdle at Southwell on last month's Rules debut and should do better, especially when upped in trip.

Form: 5-

Absolute Ruler^t⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish

12/1

Useful performer at 2 yrs on Flat for Donnacha Aidan O'Brien but had made little impact since. Tongue tied for hurdle debut.

Form:

My Brother Jack^p1²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: Ollie Pears| OR: 107

5/2

Modest Flat winner who found only one too good on his 3 starts over hurdles, overdoing the forcing tactics at Musselburgh in November. Didn't seem at home in the mud after 5 months off when third at Sedgefield 4 weeks ago and major player now returned to better ground. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 2223-

Beautiful Surprise^h²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: N J Hawke

50/1

Fair handicapper on the Flat but well held both completed start over hurdles.

Form: U66-

Forecasts

Carrarea (4/7), My Brother Jack (5/2), Tommouse (15/2), Absolute Ruler (12/1), Endlesspossibility (33/1), Beautiful Surprise (50/1), Smart Connection (200/1)

MY BROTHER JACK hardly looked at home on more testing ground than previously after 5 months off when third at Sedgefield 4 weeks ago, so much better is expected of him now returned to more suitable conditions. He gets the narrow vote over standard-setter Carrarea in what is likely to prove a match unless Tommouse takes a step forward.