Conferences And Events At Southwell Racecourse Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 17:17 | Winning time: 3m 52.44s

King's Scholar^t1⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy

7/2

Winning handicapper on Flat (stays 1¾m) for Ed Walker. Novicey mistakes when fourth of 8 in novice hurdle at Ludlow (2m, good to soft) on jumps debut 6 weeks ago and should do better. Tongue strap now reached for.

Form: 4-

Louis Veron²¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton

4/9

£72,000 3-y-o, Karaktar gelding. Half-brother to French chasers Extra Lida and Happyboum Lida. Dam unraced half-sister to useful French hurdler/chaser Rhialco. Went very close to making a winning debut in novice at Chepstow in October. That form has worked out well and looks the one to beat.

Form: 2-

Sense Of Reason²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Fellowes| OR: 104

10/1

Flat winner and similar form when hitting the frame 3 of 4 starts over hurdles. Can be in the shake-up again.

Form: 4472-

White Riot^t¹⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Liam Harrison| T: F O'Brien| DWS

16/1

Looked a good prospect when making all in bumper at Wetherby last spring. Just a respectable start over hurdles when third in novice at Uttoxeter but reportedly made a respiratory noise and bled when pulled up following month. Off since (has had breathing operation).

Form: 621/3P-

Fervent²⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: W Greatrex

16/1

Back-to-back winner on the Flat in Ireland for Stuart Crawford last summer. Sold for 58,000gns in October and market should reveal expectations on yard/hurdles debut.

Form:

Provision²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: James Best| T: F Brennan

50/1

Showed ability on the Flat (good third last month) and shaped with some promise amidst obvious inexperience on hurdling bow at Kempton over Christmas. Can do better in this sphere.

Form: 5-

Willow Edge^h²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: R T Phillips

200/1

Jack Hobbs mare. Dam, 2m hurdle/chase winner, is a half-sister to fair hurdle winner/useful chaser (stayed 3m) Stoney's Treasure and fairly useful hurdler (stays 2¾m) Real Stone. Hooded and too free on debut 3 weeks ago.

Form: 7-

Forecasts

Louis Veron (4/9), King's Scholar (7/2), Sense Of Reason (10/1), Fervent (16/1), White Riot (16/1), Provision (50/1), Willow Edge (200/1)

LOUIS VERON shaped like a sure-fire future winner when just denied at Chepstow on debut in October and looks the one to beat. King's Scholar is expected to step up on his first run over hurdles given his ability on the Flat, while Sense of Reason has frame claims again.