bet365 Select Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 5m 23.87s

Blueking D'oroux⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148

10/1

Smart hurdler who posted solid efforts on his first 3 starts of the season, including when second of 5 to Lucky Place in Ascot Grade 2 on return. Rare poor effort in National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell (heavy) last time and return to less testing ground in his favour.

Form: 54-2634

Gwennie May Boy²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: C J Todd| T: D Skelton| OR: 149| D

22/1

Found plenty of improvement stepping out of handicap company when landing the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock in February, suited by a well-run race. Better than the distance beaten suggests in the Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree latest but did stop quickly all the same.

Form: 1-F3519

Lucky Place⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153

3/1

Has continued on the upgrade this season, winning Grade 2s at Ascot and Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham (20f). Let down by his jumping in Stayers Hurdle on most recent outing but there should be more good races in him.

Form: 224-117

Kitzbuhel²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| BF

9/4

Juvenile winner in France and left that form behind this winter upon joining Willie Mullins, supplementing his Punchestown success in Grade 3 company at Gowran. Failed to stay the markedly longer trip in Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree last time but remains capable of better back over shorter. Hooded.

Form: 612-115

Salver⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 148| BF

11/2

Grade 2 Juvenile hurdle winner who shaped as if retaining all ability when fourth of 13 in a hot 2m Newbury handicap in November. Went down fighting in smart minor event at Windsor 2 starts later but didn't see his race out in the National Spirit at Fontwell latest. Type to bounce back quickly.

Form: 13-4F23

Take No Chances²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 146

3/1

Useful mare who bagged a 2m Wetherby listed race in November. Found the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth at Newcastle too hot but quickly back to best when resuming winning ways in Mares' Grade 2 at Ascot in January. Solid efforts in a pair of Grade 1s since and should give her running once again.

Form: 153133

Forecasts

Kitzbuhel (9/4), Lucky Place (3/1), Take No Chances (3/1), Salver (11/2), Blueking D'oroux (10/1), Gwennie May Boy (22/1)

Hard to rule out any of the sextet but KITZBUHEL remains capable of better after just 3 starts for the Mullins juggernaut, particularly now back over shorter (should stay 21f), so he earns the vote. Lucky Place and Salver both appeal as the types to bounce back quickly from below-par efforts and they head the opposition in an intriguing Grade 2.