Malton Marquees Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 6m 4.4s

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Selected odds by:

Shang Tang^t1²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120

11/1

Useful hurdler who made winning start over fences in a 21f Newton Abbot novice before respectable fourth at Aintree in May of last year. Lightly raced and below that level since, though, and bit to prove back over hurdles here. Tongue strap on first time.

Form: 101/46-U

Lock's Corner^t⁵⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 120

14/1

Ran out a decisive winner at Catterick and Ayr (both at around 2½m) at the end of last year. Appears to have gone off the boil more recently, though, producing a laboured effort at Wincanton last time.

Form: 115850-

Betty Baloo²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-10| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: T D Easterby| OR: 119| C

11/8

Dual bumper/hurdles scorer who has won 3 of her last 4 starts over fences, latest when taking 7-runner handicap at this course (23.9f, good to soft) 28 days ago, forging clear. Just 2 lb higher, back over the smaller obstacles, and must enter calculations,

Form: 26121-1

Yes No Maybe So^t1³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Cameron Iles⁽¹⁰⁾| T: T Lacey| OR: 116| D

17/2

Won 4 handicap hurdles in 2020 and returned to form when runner-up at Ffos Las in January. However, rather gone backwards since and makes limited appeal. Wears first-time tongue strap.

Form: 38296-P

Wee Willie Nail¹⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: Harriet Tucker⁽⁷⁾| T: R C Harper| OR: 112

100/1

Won Gowran maiden on final start for Gordon Elliott in September but has failed to complete in either start for new connections. Best watched on return from 6 months off.

Form: 4241PP-

Let Me Be¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Hammond| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 111| C

10/1

Prolific winner on the Flat for Keith Dalgleish in 2021 and off the mark over hurdles for new yard in maiden at this course (20.6f) a year ago. Back to that sort of form when close third here latest and warrants respect.

Form: P/413P-3

Gentleman Valley^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Dylan Whelan⁽¹⁰⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 111| D

2/1

Back on the scoreboard under this pilot when landing 10-runner handicap hurdle at Warwick (25f, good to soft) 27 days ago. Just 3 lb higher now and is one for the shortlist.

Form: 6/1254-1

Non-Runners

Better Getalong³⁰

Weight: 11-7| Age: 12

T: N G Richards J: Conor Rabbitt

Forecasts

Betty Baloo (11/8), Gentleman Valley (2/1), Better Getalong (8/1), Yes No Maybe So (17/2), Let Me Be (10/1), Shang Tang (11/1), Lock's Corner (14/1), Wee Willie Nail (100/1)

GENTLEMAN VALLEY hasn't been harshly treated for last month's Warwick success and may be able to follow up. Betty Baloo has been in top form over fences and is much respected back over timber, whilst Better Getalong can also make his presence felt.