1.35 2m. 5f. 6 Declared. Denis O'Connell Memorial Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 4 ) of £6,500.00 4-y-o plus
1st - €3,540.00 2nd - €1,631.00 3rd - €815.00 4th - €408.00
Formscan - MA SHANTOU was well fancied for the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree where something was clearly amiss as the five-year-old ended up finishing last. He was no match for an impressive winner at Wincanton on his hurdling bow, but the third and fourth have come out and won since, giving the form a boost, and the step up in trip appears likely to yield improvement. Barlovento won on hurdles debut at Carlisle but has to shoulder a penalty and will need to be sharper in the jumping department, while point-to-point winner Rubber Ball is respected on his hurdling bow.