JCB Tele-Handler Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 42.31s

Ballytechno²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: James Owen

15/8

Showed some minor promise in bumpers for Thomas Gallagher but immediately showed he's a lot better than that switched to hurdling by his new yard when second in a 2m Worcester maiden 22 days ago, rallying strongly latter stages. More to come now upped in trip and has leading claims.

Form: 38/472

Casting Aspersions^h¹⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: James Davies| T: Noel Williams

150/1

Runner-up both completed starts in points but looks one for the longer term under Rules based on early evidence.

Form: 2/F27-0

Killarney Mountain⁶⁰⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Nick Scholfield| T: S Hodgson

40/1

Improved on debut form to open his account in 8-runner bumper at Kempton (16f, good to soft) in February 2023, showing a terrific attitude. Has been gelded/absent since and longer trip not sure to suit on breeding on this switch to hurdling, however.

Form: 41/

Recoded^t¹⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham

1/1

Fairly useful form when placed in a pair of bumpers but seemed not to stay upped to this trip on second hurdle start at Tipperary in April. First run for yard after leaving Mrs Lorna Fowler.

Form: 3/320-

The Gray Ghost^t⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Harrison| T: R L Llewellyn

4/1

Confirmed previous promise in a first-time tongue strap when opening his account in12-runner bumper at Killarney (17f, good) in July. Left David Harry Kelly for 40,000 gns in August and is an interesting hurdle recruit for up-and-coming yard.

Form: 771

Shady Wadey¹³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls

33/1

Showed some promise in a pair of bumpers in the spring and step up in trip ought to suit now hurdling.

Form: 5-6

Non-Runners

Jungle Wood³⁴³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 5

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Recoded (1/1), Ballytechno (15/8), The Gray Ghost (4/1), Jungle Wood (8/1), Shady Wadey (33/1), Killarney Mountain (40/1), Casting Aspersions (150/1)

THE GRAY GHOST saw off a subsequent winner when opening his account in bumpers on his final run for David Harry Kelly in July and looks an interesting recruit to hurdling having joined an up-and-coming yard, so he gets to nod. Ballytechno caught the eye with his late burst into second on his hurdling debut at Worcester last month and looks sure to improve now upped in trip, with Shady Wadey making most appeal of the remainder.