Coral Long Distance Hurdle (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 6m 2.47s

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Selected odds by:

Paisley Park^t²⁶⁰

Age: 11| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 157| CD

4/1

Won this in 2019 and finished runner-up in it for a second time when edged out by Champ in a thrilling renewal last year. Also added a third Long Walk success a month later but he's saddled with a 6 lb penalty for that here and he ended last season on a low note.

Form: 35/2137-

Dashel Drasher²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 159| BF| C

2/1

Tough and likeable sort who ran stormers when second in the Relkeel, Cleeve and Stayers' Hurdles (all Cheltenham) last season. Shaped as if needing the run when 5¾ lengths third on 3m Wetherby reappearance 4 weeks ago. Big shout if back to his best.

Form: 22226-3

Flight Deck^b³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: Chris Ward| T: Deborah Cole| OR: 142| C| D

20/1

Pretty smart on his day for Jonjo O'Neill and showed he retains all his ability for new stable when a cracking third of 20 in 3m Cheltenham handicap on reappearance 5 weeks ago. Blinkers worn on that occasion retained. Something to find at this level, though.

Form: P21P7-3

Hugos New Horse³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 132| BF

11/1

Likeable type who won 5 times at up to 2½m in novice company last season. His effort in a 3m Cheltenham handicap on his reappearance was disappointing but his overall record suggests he'll bounce back quickly. Will need improvement to play a prominent role here, though.

Form: 11131-0

Mahons Glory^p1,h²⁷²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P Neville| OR: 126

80/1

Failed to win in Ireland but struck at first time of asking for Dr Richard Newland in 2½m Aintree maiden hurdle in October 2022. Not disgraced in 2 subsequent start last term but he faces a stiff task at this level having changed yard again. Has first-time cheekpieces combined with refitted hood.

Form: 523/153-

Marie's Rock^t²³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 152

6/5

Dual Grade 1 winner in mares' company. Better than ever when landing the Relkeel at Cheltenham (by 6 lengths from Dashel Drasher) on last season's reappearance. Disappointed at the Festival there in March but quickly back on track when second in 3m Aintree Grade 1 in April. The one to beat.

Form: 111/172-

Forecasts

Marie's Rock (6/5), Dashel Drasher (2/1), Paisley Park (4/1), Hugos New Horse (11/1), Flight Deck (20/1), Mahons Glory (80/1)

MARIE'S ROCK won well on last season's reappearance and will be a tough nut to crack if close to her best. Dashel Drasher was behind the selection on the two occasions they clashed last season but is probably still the main threat given that Paisley Park, running in this for a fifth time, has a Grade 1 penalty for his Long Walk win last Christmas.