Johnston Smillie Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:32 | Winning time: 4m 17.0s

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Selected odds by:

Escapeandevade³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Callum Bewley| T: J Ewart| OR: 122

5/4

Point winner who made all to make a winning hurdles debut in an Ayr novice (20.5f) early last month. Runner-up to another good prospect at Wetherby since and expected to make his presence felt.

Form: PU2112

Grey Skies²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 120| D

5/6

Proved a different proposition for new yard on back of a point win when landing Uttoxeter maiden (15.7f) last month. Type to progress further and leading claims in this.

Form: 07-6311

Augharue¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Coltherd| T: W Coltherd

25/1

Minor promise in bumpers and better effort when runner-up in a C&D novice hurdle 2 weeks ago, albeit left in second 2 out. Will need to step up further if he's to get off the mark here.

Form: 4542

Cliffs Of Dooneen^t1⁵⁶⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| DWS

20/1

Brother to useful hurdler Triplicate (2m/17f winner), Useful himself on Flat (stays 2m) and one to note in the betting now hurdling for new yard on back of a long absence/wind op. Tongue tie fitted.

Form:

High Roller

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: C O'Farrell| T: N W Alexander

40/1

Al Namix half-brother to useful hurdler/chase winner Friend Or Foe (15f-2m winner). Dam, ran once, out of half-sister to very smart cross-country chaser Garde Champetre. Market should guide on debut.

Form:

Non-Runners

Kopa Kilana¹¹¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: R Menzies J: Sean Quinlan

Largy Gift²⁸⁷

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: N Mechie J: Thomas Dowson

Johnny Estella²⁸

Weight: 10-4| Age: 4

T: R Menzies J: Nathan Moscrop

Forecasts

Grey Skies (5/6), Escapeandevade (5/4), Kopa Kilana (11/2), Largy Gift (14/1), Cliffs Of Dooneen (20/1), Augharue (25/1), Johnny Estella (25/1), High Roller (40/1)

GREY SKIES stepped up markedly on his previous exploits under Rules when making a winning debut for the Donald McCain yard at Uttoxeter last month and he's fancied to make a bold bid to follow up with the prospect of more to come. Escapeandevade rates the chief threat, ahead of bumper winner Kopa Kilana.