William Hill Cheltenham Non-Runner Money Back Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race)

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 127| CD

Fairly useful winner on Flat in France who is proving steadily progressive over hurdles, defying a penalty at the second attempt in emphatic fashion over C&D last month. Likeable type who must be respected despite having to concede weight all round.

Form: 4121

Merci Mam¹⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

Made a successful hurdling debut in 11-runner juvenile at Lyon Parilly (16.9f, heavy) for Hugo Merienne in November. Sold for a whopping €520,000 subsequently and seems sure to improve having joined a top yard.

Form: 1

Love Sonnet⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: James Davies| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 116| D

Progressive 2-time scorer on the Flat in Ireland and has made a bright start to her hurdle career, improving further to follow up from Hereford in 10-runner juvenile at Newbury (16.3f) in December, suited by way race developed. Limit may not yet have been reached.

Form: 211

Captain Connor²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: M Walford

Placed sole outing in bumpers but has achieved little both starts over hurdles. Handicaps presumably up after this.

Form: 348

Blondina⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Joshua Thompson⁽⁵⁾| T: A Nicol

Modest maiden on the Flat for Jim Bolger who offered little sent hurdling after 7 months off when down the field in juvenile hurdle at Musselburgh (15.6f, good to soft) on New Year's Day. Low-grade handicaps sure to be more her bag further down the line.

Form: 9

Forecasts

Merci Mam (11/8), Klycot (6/4), Love Sonnet (3/1), Captain Connor (50/1), Blondina (66/1)

MERCI MAM was purchased for an eye-watering €520,000 after making a successful hurdling debut in France in November and, open to plenty of improvement on first outing for the Skeltons, he's fancied to maintain his unbeaten record before going on to better things. Klycot and Love Sonnet have taken well to this discipline and warrant obvious respect.