Harry & Peg's Silver Wedding Anniversary Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 4m 6.65s

Howth^t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 128| CD

2/9

Fairly useful staying handicapper on Flat for Michael Appleby who has made a smooth transition to hurdling, making it 3 wins from only 4 starts when pulling right away from his 3 rivals in a C&D handicap last month. Very much the one to beat despite conceding plenty of weight all round.

Form: 1131

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Haptics¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: S Bowen| T: James Owen

8/1

Fairly useful handicapper on Flat (stays 13f), stepping up on stable debut effort when fifth of 8 at Wolverhampton 11 days ago. Pulled up sole outing over hurdles back in December 2023 but hasn't been with powerful yard long and potentially interesting reverted to hurdles.

Form: P/

Majestic Moment³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: D Summersby

150/1

Maiden pointer who finished last of 10 in novice hurdle at Uttoxeter (50/1) on Rules debut 36 days ago, showing no encouragement.

Form: 54/PP-P0

Saratoga Lass^t⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Fern O'Brien⁽⁵⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 107

7/1

Showed fair form in bumpers before a long absence. Confirmed hurdling debut promise with victory in a maiden hurdle at Uttoxeter (5/1) 45 days ago, benefiting from an enterprising front-running ride. Likely to find this more challenging.

Form: 2633/41

Absolut Grey¹³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Bryan Carver| T: D Summersby

66/1

Finished fifth of 7 in 18f French maiden hurdle in May 2024 before pulling up at Sable-Sur-Sarthe later that month. Tongue strap now removed. First run for new trainer.

Form: P5P2-

Top Tier Gossip⁸⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Tristan Durrell⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton

22/1

Showed some ability in bumpers and when third in a novice hurdle at Worcester on hurdling debut. Disappointing when only fifth of 8 in maiden hurdle at Bangor (4/1) next time, held when not fluent two out after chasing leaders. May need a step back up in distance to show her best form.

Form: 26-35

Forecasts

Howth (2/9), Saratoga Lass (7/1), Haptics (8/1), Top Tier Gossip (22/1), Absolut Grey (66/1), Majestic Moment (150/1)

HOWTH has taken extremely well to hurdling, winning three of his four starts to date, including an impressive 17-length success over C&D, and he's hard to oppose despite conceding plenty of weight all round. Haptics looks most interesting of the opposition reverting to hurdling given he isn't long with a powerful yard and has shown fairly useful Flat form.