Happy 80th Birthday Sheila James Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling

Runner-up only start in points. Beaten 23 lengths or more in 3 novice hurdles this winter but caught the eye a bit last time and there's likely a bigger performance in him before long.

Form: 2/593

Bobby's Nelson³⁹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| BF

£60,000 Irish point recruit who made a promising start to his Rules career when second in a heavy-ground Chepstow bumper in January 2024. Not seen since but starts out over hurdles in what could be a weak race and likely the one to beat.

Form: 22-

Elvis Du Berlais¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: James Davies| T: R J Price

125/1 when falling at the second in a Chepstow novice hurdle on his recent debut.

Form: F

Gorcombe And Wise¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Kimber| T: R Walford

Out the back in 2 similar races this year and an outsider again.

Form: 08

Saccary³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe

Fairly useful on Flat (stays 1¾m) in France. Below that level in both hurdles last month but hinted at promise at Uttoxeter on the second occasion and one of the more likely types in this field.

Form: 05

Melleray Hill¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Miss Anna Johnston⁽⁷⁾| T: Anthony Charlton

Successful on second of 2 point starts in 2023 but made no impact in 2 hurdles in recent weeks.

Form: 51/87

Killarney Lake^p²⁹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-9| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: S Hodgson

125/1, well held in a Flat novice at Windsor in May. Can only watch now hurdling 9 months on.

Form:

L'inoubliable¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Houlihan| T: K Bishop

No promise in 2 starts this month.

Form: P7

Forecasts

Bobby's Nelson (4/6), Bank On Frank (7/4), Melleray Hill (8/1), Saccary (20/1), Killarney Lake (50/1), Elvis Du Berlais (100/1), L'inoubliable (100/1), Gorcombe And Wise (150/1)

Although he hasn't been seen for 13 months point/bumper runner-up BOBBY'S NELSON still rather stands out in this line-up. Bank On Frank and Saccary leave the impression they are capable of better and may give the selection most to think about.