Sky Bet Build A Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 13.85s

High Point⁶⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: C Gethings| T: R Burdon

9/1

Fairly useful handicapper on Flat (stays 1¾m), not lacking for stamina when winning at Haydock in September. Run best excused last time and looks an interesting hurdle debutant for trainer having first runner over jumps.

Form:

Kilbakanto^h1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Atkins⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 113

2/1

£100,000 Irish point winner was prominent in the market when considerately handled on Rules debut at Uttoxeter. Took a step forward when fourth in a 5-runner novice at Haydock (24.3f), smooth headway 3 out but paid for overexuberance late on. Makes appeal back down in trip sporting first-time hood.

Form: 1-44

Kings Order²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Ring| T: Evan Williams

80/1

Reached the frame in points but no impact on bumper/hurdle debut. Showing more when fell 2 out at Taunton last time (likely to have finished fifth) but looks a longer-term project.

Form: F4-270F

Lawsky⁶⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Alex Chadwick⁽³⁾| T: James Owen

7/2

Looked badly in need of the experience in a valuable Newbury bumper on debut in March last year and was again well held in a much weaker bumper at Huntingdon the following month. Has joined an outstanding yard however and warrants a market check upped in trip on hurdles bow/reappearance.

Form: 00/

Tony Joe³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: T Ellis

11/4

Well-related sort who confirmed promise of his debut when narrow winner of 5-runner Hexham bumper (16.2f) on debut for current yard (second improved since) but was unable to justify support under a penalty at Catterick last month. Should have more to offer now sent hurdling.

Form: 3-14

Jonquilla³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: Mrs S J Humphrey

7/2

Fetched €95,000 as a 3-y-o and was an encouraging fourth on bumper debut in February. Seen to maximum effect from the front on return/hurdles debut, finishing second in a 5-runner novice at Catterick (19.3f) last month. Should again be competitive in a race lacking obvious pace on paper.

Form: 4-2

Forecasts

Kilbakanto (2/1), Tony Joe (11/4), Jonquilla (7/2), Lawsky (7/2), High Point (9/1), Kings Order (80/1)

Six-figure Irish point winner KILBAKANTO is being brought along gradually but should be up to winning a race of this nature. He gets the vote, with confidence even higher should the market speak in his favour. Jonquilla was seen to maximum effect from the front when runner-up on hurdle debut but could give another good account granted similar circumstances, while well-related Tony Joe heads a trio of interesting hurdle debutants.