Langley Castle An Outstanding Small Hotel. Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:39 | Winning time: 5m 7.32s

Gaughran⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Tom Midgley⁽³⁾| T: C Grant

250/1

Soldier of Fortune gelding who failed to complete on both starts in points in May and it was a similar tale on his debut under Rules at Market Rasen (18.6f, good) 3 months ago. Can only be watched.

Form: FPP

Kopa Kilana^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Conor Rabbitt⁽⁵⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 97

12/1

Bumper winner but yet to surpass modest form over hurdles, beaten by more than the longer trip in only his second handicap at Perth (23.9f, good) last month.

Form: 367350

Lisnamult Lad⁵⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ben Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell

4/11

Off the mark over hurdles at the first attempt in maiden at Sligo (17.6f, good, 10/1) in June, suited by emphasis on stamina. Ran to a similar level when third at Downpatrick (21.8f, good) 8 weeks ago and this Irish raider looks the one to beat.

Form: 12-613

The Scan Man¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr

100/1

Looks one for the longer term on early evidence, tailed off on both outings over hurdles so far. Needs this step up in trip to bring out some improvement.

Form: 6-669

Belle Of Annandale¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: A Keatley

16/5

Fair maiden handicapper on Flat for Keith Dalgleish and ran to a similar level in getting off the mark immediately switched to hurdles at Perth (16.2f, good) last month, leading under pressure final 100 yds. Obvious claims provided she handles the step up in trip.

Form: 1

Rory's Story^h,t³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Harry Reed| T: T Davidson

20/1

Has looked in need of experience in bumpers but is worth a market check now upped in trip for her hurdles bow.

Form: P353

Forecasts

Lisnamult Lad (4/11), Belle Of Annandale (16/5), Kopa Kilana (12/1), Rory's Story (20/1), The Scan Man (100/1), Gaughran (250/1)

A potential match between LISNAMULT LAD and Belle of Annandale, with marginal preference for the former, who wasn't seen to best effect but confirmed his liking for this sort of trip when a close third at Downpatrick a couple of months ago. Adrian Keatley's filly made the perfect start over hurdles at Perth recently, so she's sure to give the selection plenty to think about, with hurdling debutante Rory's Story worth a market check now stepping up in trip.