John Pye Auctions Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 7f 70y | 7 Runners | Turf

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 105| BF

Fair form when runner-up on last 3 starts over hurdles, the latest in a heavy-ground 2¾m course handicap 9 days ago. This looks a very good opening.

Form: 43-4222

Free The Lion³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: C J Todd| T: J Butler

Closely related to fairly useful hurdler/useful chaser Bavington Bob (19f-3m winner). Maiden Irish pointer, made frame last time (Nov 26). Worth a betting check on hurdle debut for John Butler.

Form: F/3FB3-4

Legostar¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Fergus Gregory| T: J Coulson

Fourth on the second of 3 starts in Irish bumpers in 2021. Won a point since but always behind on 19.5f Doncaster hurdle debut 16 days ago. Up in trip.

Form: 62412-0

Mayheblucky⁷⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: James Bowen| T: Billy Aprahamian

Made the frame on all 3 starts in Irish points but the latest of them was in December 2021 so he's presumably had a few issues. Betting the best guide to expectations now hurdling.

Form: 434/

Nippin N Poppin⁴⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: Dave Roberts

50/1, seventh of 8 in bumper at Worcester (2m, soft) on debut in September 2022. Off since.

Form: 7-

Jalisco Star^t1¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: L Horsfall

Placed both starts in Irish points but comfortably held in 2 bumpers for Thomas Gallagher in the spring and suffered a similar fate on Fontwell hurdle debut for Laura Horsfall.

Form: 326-85

Saint Bibiana^t⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Ben Bromley⁽⁵⁾| T: G Nicholls| C

Won the bumper on this card (heavy ground) for Kim Bailey a year ago. Faded from the second last when fifth on her 2½m course hurdle debut/reappearance for new trainer Georgina Nicholls but should be sharper now. Looks the chief threat to Classic Maestro.

Form: 26/1U0-5