bet365 Select Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 5m 15.50s

Lucky Place⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 151

9/2

Dual Grade 2 hurdle winner last season. Didn't look a natural in 2 chase outings this term but got back on track reverted to this sphere last 2 starts. Ran up to best when only fourth in this 12 months ago and this is a stronger renewal.

Form: 74-3230

Rubaud⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 145

5/1

Front runner who bagged a Grade 2 novice chase at Kempton over this sort of trip last season. Won Elite Hurdle for third year running at Wincanton in November and good placed efforts in Grade 1/Grade 2 next 2 starts. Easy to forgive effort in Grand Annual and not taken lightly back over hurdles.

Form: 5-1132P

Jingko Blue¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 153| C| D

5/6

Made up into a smart chaser in 2024/25, successful on both completed starts. Back in this sphere this season and landed a significant gamble when making all in BetMGM Cup at Cheltenham Festival. Let down by jumping back up in class in Grade 1 at Aintree 2 weeks ago but this less competitive.

Form: 1U-7216

French Ship⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Ben Jones| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 146

4/1

Improved again to win big-field handicaps around 2½m at Cheltenham and Newbury in autumn. Shaped as if still in form next 2 starts but disappointed at Uttoxeter latest. Career best required.

Form: F117U0

Non-Runners

Kabral Du Mathan⁴⁴

Weight: 11-10| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Altobelli⁹⁹

Weight: 11-4| Age: 8

T: H Fry J: Bryan Carver

Forecasts

Kabral Du Mathan (1/2), Jingko Blue (5/6), French Ship (4/1), Lucky Place (9/2), Rubaud (5/1), Altobelli (8/1)

KABRAL DU MATHAN looked very much at home stepping up to the top level before stamina let him down in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham and he should prove hard to beat back down in class/trip. Jingko Blue disappointed in the Liverpool Hurdle 2 weeks ago but he was impressive in the BetMGM Cup at the Festival prior to that and a reproduction of that form would make him the main threat.