Optimum Pay Group Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 20:22 | Winning time: 6m 4.0s

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Selected odds by:

Article Of War²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Graham Carson⁽⁷⁾| T: L Allan

66/1

Started at big prices in his sole bumper and hurdles runs and faces a tough task here stepping up to this trip for the first time. Hard to fashion a cogent case on the evidence so far.

Form: 96-

Cool Destination³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 121

5/4

Point-to-point winner who left his first two hurdles starts behind at Warwick last time (2m5f), suited by the sound gallop. Pulled well clear of the remainder with the winner; shaped as though this trip would suit.

Form: 541652-

Fortified Bay⁷²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 120| BF

8/1

First run for this yard having shown some useful placed form over hurdles when with Alan King back in 2016/17. Fitness has to be taken on trust returning from a long absence with positive market signals needed before considering support.

Form: 303223/

Shamilan¹²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 121

9/4

A repeat of his two runner-up efforts at Hereford and Exeter would put him in with a chance here the latter effort proving that he stays this trip. Given a break since a poor effort at Chepstow (didn't jump well); could well bounce back.

Form: 3/0226-

Talktomenow^p⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 122| BF

7/2

Go back to his first hurdles starts and he was second to the useful Getaway Trump at Plumpton but he's run way below that form in three starts since (well found in the market each time). Needs something to provide a spark; maybe this new trip will.

Form: 12054-

The Cattlejobber³⁹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: D McCain Jnr

25/1

Won an Irish maiden point-to-point (3m; won by 2L) in April 2018; subsequently bought for £27,000. Joined a yard who are more than capable of getting one ready first time up in this sphere; market best guide for now.

Form:

Forecasts

Cool Destination (5/4), Shamilan (9/4), Talktomenow (7/2), Fortified Bay (8/1), The Cattlejobber (25/1), Article Of War (66/1)

On official ratings there are only 2lb between the four that are likely to head the betting but three of that quartet can all have doubts levelled at them. Fortified Bay has a significant absence to overcome having joined a new yard while Shamilan has twice disappointed over hurdles going left-handed at Chepstow and he may need to go the other way round to show his best. Talktomenow has to show more than he has of late and the vote goes to the most solid option COOL DESTINATION whose Warwick second last time is the best piece of recent form on offer with his fitness assured. The Cattlejobber is an interesting newcomer who is respected and could get involved here if others underperform.