Saltire Hospitality EBF Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:39 | Winning time: 5m 1.10s

Datstheholyallofit¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: P Neville| OR: 102

11/2

Progressed to get off the mark in bumpers at Kelso in May. Suited by longer trip/had plenty to spare when making it third time lucky over hurdles at Sedgefield (21f) latest. Still very much unexposed in the face of better opposition here.

Form: 44-1231

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Poetic Twist⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: S Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 108

10/11

Knocking on the door behind fairly useful types before going one better at Tramore in May. Below that form in a couple of stronger events outside of maiden company since, however, she's been found a good opportunity by her excellent Irish yard (successful with both runners here earlier this month).

Form: 22-2126

Kingside Lady⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-4| J: Alex Harvey⁽³⁾| T: J C McConnell

9/2

Point winner who failed to justify expectations on bumper debut in July. Conversely easy to back when proving a different proposition on hurdling bow at Wexford (17f) subsequently, always holding on for 2-length success. Open to improvement up in trip (likely to stay) and needs considering.

Form: 101

Biglesisback¹⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 104

10/3

Well-related mare who finished third on hurdling debut in this corresponding race last year. Advanced her form with a hat-trick of seconds subsequently and may well benefit from return to more positive tactics following her latest third at Wetherby in March. Thereabouts on the pick of her efforts.

Form: 3222P3-

Sky Blue Ribbon¹²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Tudor| T: N P Mulholland

50/1

Runner-up completed start in Irish points. Ridden positively when beaten 11¾ lengths on debut in a Fontwell bumper in late-May (2¼m, 11/2), finding less than looked likely in a hood. In capable hands and no surprise to see her last longer on hurdles bow.

Form: FF2P-4

Forecasts

Poetic Twist (10/11), Biglesisback (10/3), Kingside Lady (9/2), Datstheholyallofit (11/2), Sky Blue Ribbon (50/1)

Returning to maiden company, POETIC TWIST can give the excellent Sean Bowen/Gordon Elliott combination another winner at this track. Biglesisback is fancied to make more impact than in this corresponding race 12 months ago, while likely improvers Datstheholyallofit and Kingside Lady are by no means back numbers in a tricky opener.