15:15 Fontwell

Wednesday 9 March 2022

All13:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Virgin Bet Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 30.7s

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Selected odds by:

Bobalot^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Jones| T: Ben Clarke

13/2

Fitted with a tongue tie and displayed ability in bumpers during the winter. Flat bred but fair start over hurdles when third of 9 at Lingfield last month.

Form: 623

Forward Plan^h¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Rex Dingle| T: A J Honeyball

14/1

Very much caught the eye when sixth of 13 in a C&D maiden hurdle last month, set lot to do and running on late. Hood replaced tongue tie and failed to fire at Newbury.

Form: 152566

Gabriel's Getaway^t⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: R P McLernon| T: A J Honeyball

50/1

Has raced freely in bumpers, showing a bit all the while. Needs to settle down now going hurdling.

Form: 704

Gin Coco⁵⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 123

13/8

Second of 14 in 4-y-o event at Pau (17.4f) on hurdling debut in May 2020. Occupied same spot in October of that year for Charlie Mann and reappears for a successful yard.

Form: 22-

Helios De Grugy⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams

250/1

Dam unraced half-sister to top-class 2m chaser Sire de Grugy. Considerate introduction in a Chepstow novice in January but struggling long way out back there 11 days later.

Form: 60

Major Reward⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J & S Best

80/1

Successful twice on the level in Ireland. Given a a very considerate ride hurdling for new yard after 17 months off and sure to do better at some point.

Form: 9

Make My Day¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore

16/5

Useful on Flat for Ralph Beckett and showed a fair level of ability when seventh on hurdles bow at Newbury last month, Shade too free in small field over 19.2f here last time and capable of better.

Form: 72

Staar¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Harrison Beswick⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs E Bishop

250/1

Placed both starts in points in 2018 but clearly had his share of issues and is probably one for low-grade handicaps.

Form: 233/88

Sublime Heights⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: T Lawes| OR: 103

22/1

Winner of sole point start and placed on 2 of his 3 starts over hurdles last term. Failed to show much switched to fences this time round and also fell back over timber at Plumpton.

Form: 230-6PF

Telleroftales⁴²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Paul O'Brien| T: K Davis

125/1

Closely related to fairly useful hurdler Bootlegger and fair hurdler Little Millie. Placed once from 5 starts in Irish points and exceeded expectations when third in a bumper at Lingfield in January.

Form: 5F/36P3-

Jaramillo²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: W Greatrex

3/1

Useful on Flat for Roger Varian (bought for six-figure sum) and running well until falling on hurdles debut in January. Found only one too good at Newbury and should be bang there.

Form: F2

Forecasts

Gin Coco (13/8), Jaramillo (3/1), Make My Day (16/5), Bobalot (13/2), Forward Plan (14/1), Sublime Heights (22/1), Gabriel's Getaway (50/1), Major Reward (80/1), Telleroftales (125/1), Staar (250/1), Helios De Grugy (250/1)

GIN COCO made a promising British debut in October 2020, and though off since, he's in excellent hands so his fitness isn't a major concern. He gets the vote at the chief expense of Jaramillo and Make My Day.