Give The Gift Of Ascot Membership 'Introductory' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 3m 47.94s

Cloud Dancer²⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: N F Houlihan| T: G & J Moore| D

18/1

Stiff task when tried in a listed bumper at Cheltenham on debut in January and clearly derived plenty from that experience when running out a convincing winner of 5-runner junior novice hurdle at Newbury (16.3f) a month later. This tougher but he rates a good prospect.

Form: 71-

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Doddiethegreat⁷⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 131| D

5/4

Well-related Fame And Glory gelding who was 2-2 in bumpers in 2020/21 season and maintained unbeaten record with facile hurdles debut success at Kempton (21f) 2 years ago. Clearly not the easiest to train given absence since but respected for leading stable.

Form: 111/

Inthewaterside²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| D

8/11

Physically imposing sort who was unbeaten in 2 bumper runs and maintained 100% record despite the race not being run to suit when landing 11-runner Aintree maiden hurdle (20f) on return in October. Highly likely there's a good deal more to come.

Form: 11-1

Junkanoo³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore

40/1

Fairly useful handicapper on Flat (stays 11.5f) who regained winning thread at Windsor (10f) in May and dispelled pair of lesser efforts when third at that venue 39 days ago. Set a stiff enough task on hurdles bow and the market should guide with yard also saddling Cloud Dancer.

Form:

Forecasts

Inthewaterside (8/11), Doddiethegreat (5/4), Cloud Dancer (18/1), Junkanoo (40/1)

INTHEWATERSIDE was unimpressive in maintaining his unbeaten record on hurdles debut at Aintree last month, but that was a race not run to suit, and with this drop in trip unlikely to inconvenience Paul Nicholls' 5-y-o, he can land this on his way to bigger things. Doddiethegreat looked a very good prospect when last seen 2 years ago and he's an intriguing contender from another top stable.