Join Racing TV Now Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 4m 19.0s

Settings

Selected odds by:

After The Fox²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Williams

6/1

Universal gelding out of a Hernando mare. Second in a December point-to-point was followed by a below-par start under rules in an Exeter 2m1f bumper, weakening inside final furlong to finish eighth of the 11 runners.

Form: 28

Caffe Macchiato¹⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan

10/1

88-rated handicapper on the Flat for trainer Adrian Keatley before moving to France for the 2019 season. Recently purchased for high-profile racing club and market vibes likely to be the best guide on stable debut.

Form:

Dubai Key⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: P K Donovan⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland

100/1

A couple of modest efforts on the Flat in 2017 before being sent off at odds of 100/1 in a couple of novice hurdles towards the end of the year for new connections. Best watched on this occasion.

Form: 0/P25-8P

Finisher^p1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Theo Gillard⁽⁷⁾| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 115

11/2

Three-race maiden posted a career best effort when finishing second of 17 runners in a Wincanton novice hurdle last month. First-rime cheekpieces can only assist.

Form: P92

Jewelinthename²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland

50/1

By Califet out of an unraced half-sister to very smart 3m hurdler Monksland. Will have disappointed connections in a couple of dismal novice hurdles efforts so far. Plenty to prove in this contest.

Form: F0

Mille Sussurri¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: H Fry

10/11

Has run with credit in two of his three starts so far, the latest of which came in an Exeter maiden hurdle over 2m1f on soft ground earlier this month. Likely to go well with leading jockey once again in the saddle.

Form: 373

Presuming Ed^h1⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White

17/2

Westerner gelding who cost €32,000 as a three-year-old. Weakened over 3f out in a Ludlow bumper when last seen in December. Hard to make a case for on hurdling debut and in first-time hood.

Form: 49

Song Of The Hunter¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: David Noonan| T: Miss G Haywood

13/2

Won a point-to-point event in January before running with credit in a Wincanton bumper over 1m7½f on soft ground earlier this month on first start for Devon yard. Worth a check in the market.

Form: 2P-3F15

Forecasts

Mille Sussurri (10/11), Finisher (11/2), After The Fox (6/1), Song Of The Hunter (13/2), Presuming Ed (17/2), Caffe Macchiato (10/1), Jewelinthename (50/1), Dubai Key (100/1)

First-time cheekpieces could be the key to improvement for the Mark Gillard-trained FINISHER to get off the mark at the third time of asking. The five-year-old posted a career best effort when finishing second of 17 runners in a Wincanton novice hurdle last month and can get the better of the Harry Fry-trained Mille Sussurri who will look to continue his progression following a solid run at Exeter earlier this month. After The Fox on debut for trainer Jane Williams should be capable of hitting the frame along with Caffe Macchiato who looks an interest recruit for trainer Tim Vaughan.