William Hill Molyneux Hurdle (Grade 2) (Formerly Registered As The Elite Hurdle) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 4m 3.35s

Alexei^t²¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: J Tizzard| OR: 158

4/7

Thrived last season landing back-to-back handicaps (latterly Greatwood Hurdle) before taking Grade 2 Kingwell at Wincanton in February. Didn't look at all out of place in Grade 1s thereafter, fourth in Champion Hurdle before good third in Aintree Hurdle (2½m) in April. Big shout for in-form yard.

Form: 113143-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

Lucky Place¹⁹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 151

9/2

Dual Grade 2 hurdle winner at 2½m in 2024/25, including Relkeel at Cheltenham. Didn't look a natural over fences initially last season but back on track over hurdles, placed twice in graded company either side of finishing well held in handicap at Cheltenham. Trip possibly on short side for him.

Form: 4/32302-

Melon²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R T Dunne| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 129| C| D

18/1

Dual juvenile hurdle winner (at 2m) who was awarded a deserved first handicap hurdle success in 21-runner event over C&D in April. With fitness on his side, possible he failed for stamina when tenth in Silver Trophy at Chepstow (19.5f) 4 weeks ago but he looks firmly up against at this level.

Form: 4/3821-0

Mange Tout^h²¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Mark Walsh| T: G Elliott| OR: 138| CD

4/1

4-y-o filly who landed each of her first 3 starts over hurdles, including Grade 3. Lost her unbeaten record on heavy ground at Leopardstown in February but made amends when emulating her half-brother Impaire et Passe when taking C&D Anniversary Hurdle in the spring and there's surely more to come.

Form: 11131-

Non-Runners

Mydaddypaddy²⁴²

Weight: 11-0| Age: 5

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Alexei (4/7), Mydaddypaddy (11/8), Mange Tout (4/1), Lucky Place (9/2), Melon (18/1)

Successful on 2 of his first 3 starts over hurdles (excuses when second here latterly), MYDADDYPADDY found further progress and shaped a shade better than the result too when an excellent third in the Supreme at Cheltenham in March. A notably nimble jumper, he remains open to improvement and is fancied to make a winning return. Alexei did nothing but improve throughout 2025/26, including when making the frame in Grade 1s on his final 2 starts and comfortably rates the lead threat.