Coral Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 21.34s

Strong Leader^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 156| CD

5/2

Smart stayer who landed the Liverpool Hurdle in April 2024 and followed up on his reappearance last term in this very race. Made a winning start this season, too, in a Wetherby Grade 2 (3m, good) and another bold show is on the cards.

Form: 1/1042-1

Doddiethegreat^p,t²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 146| D

17/2

Scaled new heights when seeing off stablemate Jeriko du Reponet in the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham Festival (3m, good to soft) in March. Solid 1½ lengths third to Strong Leader on return at Wetherby, proving that he can mix it in graded company, but Impose Toi appears to be the stable No 1.

Form: PP212-3

Ahoy Senor³³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 147| C| D

18/1

Very smart chaser at his best and caught the eye when third on his reappearance last season in the Old Roan at Aintree. Has struggled since, including on return this time round in the same race, but he's 2-2 in this sphere and will be a big threat if the return to hurdles helps rekindle the flame.

Form: 3PPF5-6

Botox Has^b²²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Caoilin Quinn| T: G & J Moore| OR: 147| D

14/1

Good third in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January, but he was otherwise below par last season and is probably worth taking on back from a 7-month absence.

Form: 5/08337-

Hewick^b²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: P Hanlon| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 155| BF| D

16/1

High-class chaser (winner of the 2023 King George at Kempton) and no slouch in this sphere either, as he reiterated with an easy all-the-way success on return at Thurles. The run may have come too soon when well held back over fences at Wetherby and he's likely to bounce back with a bold show.

Form: 718-714

Impose Toi²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| C

6/5

Developed into a mainstay in top handicap hurdles last season and boasts a superbly consistent record. Displayed a good turn of foot when making a winning reappearance at Aintree (24.7f, good) and looks ready for this step up in class. Big player.

Form: 3/1242-1

Take No Chances²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 144| D

7/1

Winner of listed race at Wetherby and mares' Grade 2 at Ascot last term. Built on encouraging reappearance in a Chepstow handicap when just touched off by Strong Leader back at Wetherby last time and she should give another good account.

Form: 1335-62

Forecasts

Impose Toi (6/5), Strong Leader (5/2), Take No Chances (7/1), Doddiethegreat (17/2), Botox Has (14/1), Hewick (16/1), Ahoy Senor (18/1)

IMPOSE TOI has made good strides subsequent to winning a C&D handicap at this meeting 12 months ago and, judged on his reappearance success under a big weight at Aintree, he still appears to be improving. The 7-y-o can take this step up in class in his stride and could yet develop into a candidate for the Stayers' Hurdle in March. Last year's winner Strong Leader got the better of Take No Chances at Wetherby at the beginning of the month and he is the main danger. Hewick also has claims.