Happy 65th Birthday Peter Mellett Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 4m 21.53s

Character Testing²³

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: T Ellis

9/4

Fair on the Flat up to 10f. Making first start since leaving Tom Clover, below that level sent hurdling when third of 6 in juvenile at Fontwell (17.7f, good to firm) 23 days ago. However, he could fare better with that first experience behind him.

Form: 3

Compton Bay¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: M Goldstein| T: M Madgwick

40/1

Modest maiden handicapper on Flat (stays 12f) who has run below form at Lingfield on his last 2 starts, finishing sixth of 7 on the all-weather (10f) 18 days ago. Has work to do as he goes hurdling.

Form:

Our Papa Smurf⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Caoilin Quinn⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore

5/1

Modest form when getting off the mark on the Flat in a Goodwood handicap (9.9f, good) in June. However, shaped as if amiss when tailed off at Epsom when last seen 81 days ago. Bounce back called for as he makes hurdling debut.

Form:

Rogue King^v⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: James Owen

10/11

Fair winner on the Flat at Wolverhampton (12.2f) in June, before making an encouraging hurdling debut when runner-up in juvenile at Stratford (16.3f, good) the following month. Second back on the level last time and he looks to hold leading claims.

Form: 2

Little Venice^h1²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland

12/1

Fair handicapper on Flat (stays 12f), opening her account at Beverley (9.9f) in June. Having left Nigel Tinkler, did too much too soon when fourth of 6 at Windsor (11.4f, soft) last month. One to consider on hurdling debut with hood applied.

Form:

Sheila Tequila^h⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: Lee Edwards| T: A West

100/1

Hasn't offered much in varied events on the Flat, faring no better on first run since leaving Fionn McSharry when tenth of 13 in handicap at Chelmsford City (7f) 47 days ago. Hood wore on the level back on for her hurdles bow.

Form:

Forecasts

Rogue King (10/11), Character Testing (9/4), Our Papa Smurf (5/1), Little Venice (12/1), Compton Bay (40/1), Sheila Tequila (100/1)

ROGUE KING has been in good form since the application of a visor, showing promise when runner-up at Stratford on his hurdling debut in July, so he is taken to go one better this time around. Character Testing also has the benefit of hurdling experience and could be the biggest threat, ahead of Little Venice.