Valley 'National Hunt' Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 3m 49.10s

Ballymena Boy¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: R L Llewellyn

80/1

Runner-up in point bumper but little encouragement so far under Rules, proving too headstrong both starts over hurdles.

Form: 2/4F9-

Big Boy Barney^t¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: F O'Brien

5/2

Point winner who has shaped with promise in making the frame in a pair of course bumpers. Longer trips are bound to suit in due course but still warrants respect in a thin maiden on hurdling debut.

Form: 1/44-

Cobbler's Boy^t1⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D SkeltonWS

30/100

Cost £115,000 after finishing runner-up in an Irish point. Shaped with encouragement when eighth of 16 at Doncaster on sole outing in bumpers and did the same when runner-up on Southwell hurdling debut (15.8f) in March, going off too hard. Had breathing op and has outstanding claims. Tongue tied.

Form: 2/82-

New Man^t1³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: R T Dunne| T: T R Gretton

125/1

Well held in a pair of novice hurdles 5 months apart.

Form: 45-

Foxy's Friend⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr

18/1

Telescope mare. Dam (h119), bumper/2½m-25f hurdle winner, half-sister to useful hurdler (stayed 3m) Volador. Made frame sole start in points.

Form: 4-

Forecasts

Cobbler's Boy (30/100), Big Boy Barney (5/2), Foxy's Friend (18/1), Ballymena Boy (80/1), New Man (125/1)

COBBLER'S BOY shaped encouragingly until his exertions told when runner-up to a subsequent winner on his Southwell hurdling debut back in March and this looks an excellent opportunity to go one better. Big Boy Barney has shown promise in a pair of course bumpers and is the obvious threat.