Chloe Mediumship Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 7f 70y | 4 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Lewis Saunders⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 126| CD

Not the prettiest to watch (goes in snatches) but clearly has a decent level of ability, confirming the promise of his Leicester second when going one better in a 4-runner novice at C&D (soft) on New Year's Eve. Clearly a thorough stayer and should go close to following up.

Form: U7/2-521

Skuna Bay¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Theo Gillard| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 120| D

Placed in points and progressive over hurdles, making a winning return in a good time in a Bangor novice (23.1f), impressing with his jumping. Proved a disappointment on chase/handicap bow at Kelso but quickly back on track returned to hurdling at Leicester (20.5f, heavy) last time. Player.

Form: 342-152

Fane Court²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Shane Quinlan⁽³⁾| T: B Lund

Bought for 5,000 gns after winning an Irish point in November but sent off at unflattering odds and went with little short-term promise when well beaten in novice hurdles at Taunton and Ludlow.

Form: B/1-68

Hung Jury^p⁴²

Age: 11| Weight: 11-0| J: Beau Morgan⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 124

Twice raced in maiden hurdles but was much improved when winning a 4m hunter at Cheltenham on his first try over fences under Rules. Doubled his tally winning a 16-runner amateurs handicap there in November and good second in London National next time. Interesting back hurdling after poor effort.

Form: 14812P

Forecasts

Lon Chaney (5/6), Hung Jury (5/2), Skuna Bay (3/1), Fane Court (100/1)

This could prove very attritional, the nod therefore going to LON CHANEY, who showed plentiful reserves of stamina when winning another small-field race at C&D on New Year's Eve. Skuna Bay is a likeable type and is evenly matched with the selection on form, whilst Hung Jury is very interesting reverted to hurdling, having proven himself a fairly useful chaser since last seen over the smaller obstacles.