Virgin Bet Rendlesham Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 6m 36.7s

Botox Has^p²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 152| CD

5/2

Enhanced a good record fresh when adding a West Yorkshire Hurdle to his C.V. at Wetherby in November and backed that up with creditable efforts when sixth in Long Walk & Cleeve Hurdle respectively. Cheekpieces reapplied and fancied to be in the mix.

Form: 174-166

Wakool^v¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander| OR: 137| CD

22/1

C&D winner who took a step back in the right direction when runner-up at Ayr (24.3f, heavy) last month. Rare poor effort at Musselburgh (23.8f, good to soft) last time (lost a shoe) and a visor goes on for just a second time. Outsider in this company.

Form: 10-6F20

Butch⁴⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 141| D

6/4

Progressive hurdler who gained a fourth win from his last 5 starts at Cheltenham (24f, soft) on New Year's Day, defying a mark 15 lb higher than for his only previous run in a handicap. Open to further progress warrants respect dipping his toe into graded company for the first time.

Form: 212-111

Red Risk⁵⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147

11/2

Won twice back hurdling in 2022 and finished runner-up to the reopposing Botox Has in West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby in November. Not up to the task in the Long Walk at Ascot (24.4f, good) 8 weeks ago but with plenty rain in the forecast (goes very well on heavy), he must have a serious chance.

Form: 120-628

Sounds Russian³³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 150

5/1

Gained a fourth success over fences in Kelso handicap on reappearance in 2022/23. Better form in defeat subsequently, yet to be asked for effort in the Gold Cup when brought down at the 17th. Off injured since, and interesting returning over hurdles (runner-up all 3 previous starts in 2021).

Form: 2/1422B-

Martha Brae³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Fergus Gillard| T: D Skelton| OR: 128

18/1

Largely consistent sort who got her head back in front at Kempton (3m, heavy) over Christmas. 5 lb higher mark seemingly left her vulnerable back out of mares company at Warwick (25f, soft) since and it's tough to see her getting involved.

Form: 12-6314

Forecasts

Butch (6/4), Botox Has (5/2), Sounds Russian (5/1), Red Risk (11/2), Martha Brae (18/1), Wakool (22/1)

An open-looking Grade 2 which can go the way of RED RISK, who found the Long Walk too competitive at Ascot before Christmas, but with plenty of the rain in the forecast (goes very well on heavy), Paul Nicholls' 9-y-o can open his account for the season back down in grade. Butch gained a fourth win from his last 5 starts at Cheltenham on New Year's Day so he rates as an obvious danger, with Botox Has and the returning Sounds Russian another couple to consider.