Wilmot-Smith Memorial Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Ross Chapman| T: R Menzies

Half-brother to 3 winners, including bumper winner/fairly useful hurdler Ryedale Racer. Built on debut promise when second in 7-runner bumper at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft) 40 days ago, lacking pace of winner. Longer trip should suit but faces no easy task on hurdle debut.

Form: 62

Just Golden^t1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 123| BF

Successful on second of 2 starts in bumpers and is improving over hurdles for top yard, finishing ahead of couple of next-time-out winners at Newcastle prior to going close in a much stronger maiden at Cheltenham (20.2f) on New Year's Day. The one to beat in first-time tongue strap.

Form: 21-232

Nosy Neighbour⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Nathan Moscrop| T: R Menzies

Made frame on second of 2 starts in Irish points and promising start to Rules career (despite some novicey jumping) when third of 11 in Southwell maiden (15.8f, good to soft), no match for front pair who have progressed since. Will be suited by this step up in trip and can improve.

Form: 54-3

Solid Performer²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 109

Well-built, lightly-raced 8-y-o. Winner sole start in points and has made an encouraging start over hurdles, finishing third in a pair of maidens around 2½m, latterly when still looking a work in process at Ayr (soft) earlier this month. Capable of better, especially over fences.

Form: 1-33

The Dog Thief⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Andrews| T: T Ellis

€10,000 3-y-o. Closely related to fairly useful hurdlers Oneofthesenights (stayed 2¾m) and Operation Overlord (stayed 2½m). Successful sole outing in points in December and market can guide on first start under Rules.

Form: 1

Callmesusie¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Quinlan| T: L Allan| D

Sole win from 14 starts in points and only minor promise on bumper debut. Has displayed more temperament than ability over hurdles, refusing to race at Wetherby prior to showing nothing at Fakenham last time. Easy to look elsewhere.

Form: F324-R7

Forecasts

Just Golden (2/5), Solid Performer (6/1), Forever Louie (7/1), The Dog Thief (10/1), Nosy Neighbour (16/1), Callmesusie (200/1)

This looks an excellent opportunity for improving JUST GOLDEN to get off the mark over hurdles. It's unlikely we've seen the best of imposing 8-y-o Solid Performer, but he may come into his own over fences, while Nosy Neighbour is entitled to take a step forward from his hurdle debut form.