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Briery Belle could be the one they all have to beat off the back of her Listed success at Cheltenham back in April but there is every chance she might need the run off the back of a break. With this in mind, there could be a lot of value in the price of SIR VINSKI who has won fresh in the past. The Nicky Richards trained gelding won on rules debut at Kelso two years ago so could strip fit off the back of a break. He was an impressive winner of a Class 4 handicap hurdle at Ayr last season over 2m 4f on heavy ground and hacked up at Wetherby in similar conditions back in February over three miles. There is a bit of cut in the ground here with more rain forecast and the more rain that falls, the better chance he has.
1 GULLY’S EDGE – Kayf Tara was a sire who did wonders last season and this Malcolm Jefferson trained inmate must hold every chance on seasonal reappearance. This lightly raced six year old won a novice hurdle by 17 lengths at Hexham in March before bolting up at Ayr a month later. He looks a very progressive animal with low mileage on the clock and will appreciate any cut in the ground.
2 SIR VINSKI – Seven year old gelding trained by Nicky Richards who’s best form has come on ground with a good bit of cut. With rain forecast, conditions should play to his strengths and he has won fresh in the past. Stable do well at this course and he merits a lot of respect in what is a very competitive contest.
3 TAKINGRISKS – Another runner in the field trained by Nicky Richards and he is the only horse in the race with winning course form. The lightly raced seven year old won well here over 3m 1f back in March on Good ground but he was very disappointing when well behind Gully’s Edge when last seen. Bit to prove.
4 VINTAGE CLOUDS – Generally very consistent performer trained by Sue Smith who was Pulled Up in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree when last seen. This is a huge drop in class and he was 2nd in a Grade 2 at Haydock last season so he could well be the one to beat if he is fit after a rest.
5 BRIERY BELLE – Highly progressive King’s Theatre mare who comes here off the back of two very impressive victories at Huntingdon and Cheltenham with a good 2nd in between at Doncaster. She is already a Listed winner and will be getting weight from the field which is a massive advantage. If she is fit after a break, she could be the one they all have to beat but she usually needs the run.