Brewin Dolphin Buccleuch Cup (Maiden Hunters' Chase)

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 7m 14.8s

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Selected odds by:

Beyond Gold⁴³

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: William Shanahan⁽⁷⁾| T: C Robson

12/1

Made virtually all and driven out for a 2½L success in a five-runner 8yo+ maiden PTP at Corbridge (3m, good) in February; competes under rules for the first time.

Form: 1

Costly Dream^t1⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr R Wilson⁽⁷⁾| T: J Marshall

11/1

Raced three-times under rules for Philip Hobbs (2016-2018); 2-6 in PTP's with both of those successes coming at nearby Friars Haugh (3m, good); beat Buzzkillbob by 1½L in a Restricted race nine-days ago (today's rival Steel's Cotton pulled-up).

Form: F313P1

Hardrock Davis^h²²

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr John Dawson| T: Mrs K Lynn

3/1

Has raced under rules in the past for both Tom George and Keith Dalgleish (0-7); more effective in PTP's since joining Karen Lynn (2,1,2,1); made all when beating Takethepunishment by 15L in a 3m Intermediate at Friars Haugh (soft) in March.

Form: F0-2121

Longtymegone^p1⁴⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: C J Todd⁽⁷⁾| T: W Coltherd

16/1

Portrait Gallery gelding; 2-17 in Irish PTP's, winning on both starts at Farmaclaffley; all out to hold onto a fast-diminishing lead when beating Our Bonus by a head latest (3m, yld/soft); cheekpieces worn on first start for Stuart Coltherd.

Form: 44P-PP1

Sir Lonica⁴²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: Mr Joe Wright⁽³⁾| T: Justin Landy

10/11

Lightly-raced 8yo; off for 428-days since winning his second successive PTP; one of only two horses to finish in 3m Restricted at Alnwick (Northumberland) in February 2018; trainer/jockey combination most unfortunate in this race in 2016 with Ardea.

Form: P23/11-

Whiteabbey^p1⁹

Age: 14| Weight: 12-0| J: Amie Waugh⁽³⁾| T: Mrs R Hewit| OR: 69

33/1

Veteran; well beaten fourth in this race in 2016, and hasn't competed under rules since the 2016 Heart Of All England (Hexham); good ground 3m Mosshouses Conditions winner in May 2018; should benefit for a recent run at Friars Haugh.

Form: 433-134

Steel's Cotton⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Miss E Todd| T: Mrs J Clark| OR: 78

8/1

Borders trained (handler has a connection with Kelso Racecourse); finished 29L fourth to Diamond Brig in this contest last year; made virtually all when landing a weak mares' maiden at Friars Haugh (3m, soft) in March; more required.

Form: 4-P331P

Forecasts

Sir Lonica (10/11), Hardrock Davis (3/1), Steel's Cotton (8/1), Costly Dream (11/1), Beyond Gold (12/1), Longtymegone (16/1), Whiteabbey (33/1)

A prestigious, and therefore keenly contested race. Hardrock Davis is one of a number of recent Friars Haugh winners to try their luck under rules - he has been campaigned professionally in the past by Tom George and Keith Dalgleish. His current handler Karen Lynn has him in fine fettle between the flags with his PTP form having a relatively solid look and feel (namely his December Hexham second to Rose and Tony Dobbin's Worcester Pearmain). However, we'll take a chance on the returning 8yo SIR LONICA. The Justin Landy/Joe Wright partnership have a proven track record in such contests, with Ardea (luckless in this race) going onto take the 2016 Heart Of All England at Hexham.