Sworders Property Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 4m 1.38s

Book of Secrets^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Todd| T: C & A Pogson| OR: 103

7/1

Fair on the Flat and similar standard over hurdles. Left Dan Skelton after finishing a creditable second in a 2m Stratford seller last month.

Form: 23/4-2

Sir Canford^p,t⁶¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 104

7/2

Fair Flat winner for Ali Stronge in 2022. Also placed over hurdles for that stable. Not been seen for over 20 months but new yard more than capable of readying one and has a good record in this race.

Form: 243P8/

State Of Bliss²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: N B King| OR: 105

4/7

Fairly useful on Flat for the Johnston stable and promising third in a 2m Kempton novice on his second start outing hurdles. May have found the run coming a bit quick on him when 15 lengths second over 2½m here 8 days later. Freshened up since. Leading claims.

Form: 5-32

Thorpeness^t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁵⁾| T: D Skelton

17/2

Well beaten in 2 bumpers but showed a good deal more on recent Huntingdon hurdle debut with a tongue strap added, finishing third of 9. In top hands so could easily build on that.

Form: 09-3

Non-Runners

Smart Deal¹

Weight: 10-13| Age: 4

T: James Owen J: H Cobden

Forecasts

State Of Bliss (4/7), Sir Canford (7/2), Book of Secrets (7/1), Smart Deal (8/1), Thorpeness (17/2)

STATE OF BLISS had a possible excuse when a well-held second here last time and gets another chance to confirm the promise of his previous Kempton third in a race which has worked out. Dr Richard Newland has won this race 3 times since 2016 so it may be that the chief threat comes from the returning Sir Canford.