Scott McGarry 60th Birthday Bash Mares' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:12 | Winning time: 3m 54.30s

Manimole²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 99| D

8/11

Arrives on the back of a caeer-best win in 11-runner novice hurdle at Worcester (16f, good, 5/4) 28 days ago. Concedes 7 lb all round now but she still looks the one to beat.

Form: 553-221

Mays Hill²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: C Brace| T: F O'Brien

16/1

Fair bumper winner but he came in tailed-off eighth of 11 to Manimole in novice hurdle at Worcester (16f, good) on hurdles bow 28 days ago. Needs to show significantly more now.

Form: 37-18

Miss Pearl³³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Tabitha Worsley⁽³⁾| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 84

50/1

Poor hurdler. Last of 7 in handicap hurdle at Aintree (24.7f, good to firm) 33 days ago. Significantly back down in trip with work to do.

Form: F/66-467

Mountain Rapid

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: Mark Campion

200/1

Getaway mare. Dam unraced half-sister to useful hurdler/very smart chaser (stayed 33f) Ad Hoc. Market can guide.

Form:

Police Academy⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Sutton⁽⁷⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 101

5/4

Won sole start in Irish points and acquitted herself well first two starts over fences. Pulled up in handicap chase at Ffos Las (23.8f) though on her final run for Oliver Sherwood so needs to bounce back for her new yard.

Form: 34322-P

Time For Joy¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Abbie McCain⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

40/1

9/1, well-held fifth of 7 in novice hurdle at Cartmel (22.1f, soft) on NH debut 19 days ago. A winning pointer however so she is worth another chance for her good yard.

Form: U24F-15

Non-Runners

Falanghina²⁷

Weight: 11-0| Age: 6

T: D McCain Jnr J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Manimole (8/11), Police Academy (5/4), Falanghina (10/1), Mays Hill (16/1), Time For Joy (40/1), Miss Pearl (50/1), Mountain Rapid (200/1)

The reliable MANIMOLE looks very much the way to go on the back of her impressive Worcester success with question marks over most of her rivals. Police Academy has the form to play a part if the switch to Fergal O'Brien's yard sparks improvement and she is next on the list while Time For Joy shouldn't be written off yet and could emerge best in the quest for minor honours.