Visit Sri Lanka 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:48 | Winning time: 5m 3.55s

Bhaloo⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 126| BF

6/4

Bumper winner who built on his promising yard/hurdles debut effort here when opening his account at Doncaster (19.4f) in December, looking well served by the step up in trip. Rather disappointing when fourth at Hereford in January but very much the type to get back on track.

Form: 4/1-314

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Classic King³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 126

10/11

Made a winning start over hurdles at Wincanton (15.2f) in October and even better form when runner-up next 3 starts. Looked likely winner when falling last at Newbury (20.5f) 31 days ago and very much of interest here provided that hasn't left its mark.

Form: 2-1222F

Carrickfergus²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr P York⁽⁵⁾| T: P York

250/1

€45,000 3-y-o, Westerner gelding. Half-brother to 3 winners, including fairly useful hurdler/chaser Pressies Girl and fairly useful hurdler She's Da One. Made frame first 2 starts in points, pulled up last time (Mar 30). Probably best watched on Rules/hurdles debut.

Form: 4-2P

Kaltender^p1,t¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy

200/1

Great Pretender gelding who comes from a good family but hasn't offered much short-term encouragement in 2 starts over hurdles in recent weeks. Probably one for later on, including when tackling larger obstacles. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 30

Patanita³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Harry Cobden| T: G Nicholls

5/1

Won a point bumper and a bumper under Rules in spring 2022 and showed he retains plenty of ability on back of 22 months off when third in a Huntingdon maiden (19.6f, heavy) on hurdles bow 5 weeks ago. Possible he can build on that here.

Form: 1/1U-3

Pottersjetamay²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Paul O'Brien| T: C E Longsdon

66/1

Well held in trio of bumpers but did at least show a bit making hurdles debut when third of 7 in a Market Rasen maiden (20.6f) 3 weeks ago. Still, he'll need to step up significantly on that if he's to play a lead role here.

Form: 6-003

Forecasts

Classic King (10/11), Bhaloo (6/4), Patanita (5/1), Pottersjetamay (66/1), Kaltender (200/1), Carrickfergus (250/1)

Having made a very encouraging start over hurdles this term, CLASSIC KING looked the most likely winner when crashing out at the last on his most recent outing at Newbury 31 days ago and Emma Lavelle's charge looks to hold serious claims once more provided that hasn't left its mark. Bhaloo rates the chief threat back from a short break with Patanita next best.