Watch On Racing TV Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 5m 18.31s

Crackling Fire⁷⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

9/2

Cost €115,000 as a 3-y-o but couldn't match strong debut form when finishing midfield in a Warwick maiden in December. Remains with potential but jockey bookings suggest he could be a handicap project now.

Form: 46

Irish Champ^h,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J J Slevin| T: S R B Crawford

11/4

Winner of sole outing in points and following promising fourth on Rules debut, found the drop to 2m against him when third here last time. Could be significant that connections haven't opted for a quick switch to handicaps and this step back up in trip looks sure to suit.

Form: 14-3

Stride On⁷¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| BF

9/2

Bumper winner made an encouraging start over hurdles when chasing home a useful prospect here but didn't give running when turned over at odds on last time (suffered leg wound). Ought to be capable of better returning from a break with yard in better form.

Form: 31-24

The G Wizard²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Bruce Lynn| T: N W Alexander| OR: 114| BF

6/4

Progressing steadily and made it a hat-trick of runner-up finishes on handicap debut at Musselburgh last time, despite a couple of mistakes in a well-run race. That form sets the standard here.

Form: P/2-4222

Union Avenue^p1⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Alan Doyle⁽³⁾| T: James Moffatt| BF

12/1

Fairly useful form to win twice in bumpers in 2023 but was amiss on hurdling debut at Hexham in December, following 21 months off. Hard to be confident with connections quick to reach for headgear.

Form: 21149/P

Non-Runners

Zamek³⁵

Weight: 11-9| Age: 6

T: O Murphy J: S Bowen

Forecasts

The G Wizard (6/4), Zamek (9/4), Irish Champ (11/4), Stride On (9/2), Crackling Fire (9/2), Union Avenue (12/1)

A tricky puzzle but THE G WIZARD sets the standard following a hat-trick of seconds and may go one better back in maiden company. However, Irish Champ is a danger if improving as expected for the return to further, while it's unlikely we've seen the best of Zamek or Stride On, either.