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Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 4m 13.30s

Coniston George²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Danny McMenamin| T: N G Richards| D

8/1

Set some sound foundations in a trio of bumpers last season and did well in making a successful debut over hurdles after 7 months off at Kelso (16.2f, heavy) 3 weeks ago, conceding experience and track position to a well-backed pointer. Open to progress.

Form: 216-1

Favour And Fortune²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| D

2/5

Easy winner of Southwell and Warwick bumpers last term. No impact in the Champion Bumper final start but easily made a successful debut over hurdles at Hereford (16.2f, good) last month. Sixth that day won since and with plenty more to offer, he looks the one to beat.

Form: 110-1

Tommy Time²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: P A Kirby

9/1

Irish bumper winner who matched that form at the second time of asking for new yard when runner-up under a penalty at Sedgefield last month. Didn't need to run to the same level to make a successful debut over hurdles at the same track (16.8f, soft) 19 days later and he's open to progress.

Form: 1-421

Bertie's Ballet²¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Mrs Dianne Sayer| D

9/1

Useful dual bumper winner last season who should be capable of making his presence felt sent hurdling after 7 months off. Certainly worth a second look in the market.

Form: 13/210-

Delgany Bobby Blue^t1⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton

25/1

Shaped with promise under a considerate ride when runner-up in a Chepstow bumper in February. Never involved next time but offered plenty to work on after 7 months off/a wind operation when runner-up on hurdles bow at Uttoxeter (15.8f, good to soft) just under 6 weeks ago. Should improve.

Form: P/20-2

Finn Lough²⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero

18/1

€12,500 3-y-o, £45,000 4-y-o, Milan gelding. Dam unraced half-sister to very smart hurdler (winner up to 3m) Splendid Thyne and useful hurdler (stayed 25f) His Nibs. Won sole start in Irish points (Mar 12).

Form: 1-

Hellenista³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby| D

66/1

Modest handicapper on Flat (stays 17f), well held at Musselburgh last month. Gets weight being the sole mare in the line-up but looks up against making her hurdling debut.

Form:

Forecasts

Favour And Fortune (2/5), Coniston George (8/1), Bertie's Ballet (9/1), Tommy Time (9/1), Finn Lough (18/1), Delgany Bobby Blue (25/1), Hellenista (66/1)

FAVOUR AND FORTUNE was one of the leading British-based bumper performers last season and, having landed the odds with the minimum of fuss on hurdling debut at Hereford last month, Alan King's 5-y-o is fancied to follow up at the expense of Tommy Time, who also made a winning start in this sphere recently and should have more to offer. Delgany Bobby Blue and Coniston George can do battle for third.