Mrs is not usual run of the Mil
IT has been 25 years since an Irish raider won the Grade Two Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle, but MRS MILNER (3.00 ITV, nap) can score a second major hurdle victory on British soil.
Paul Nolan’s six-year-old mare won the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March and began the new campaign with a straighforward victory at Limerick in a Listed event last month.
She takes on the 2019 Stayers’ Hurdle victor Paisley Park, who last won 11 months ago at Ascot when beating Thyme
Hill in the Long Walk Hurdle.
The nine-year-old has failed to produce that form since, and while his third place behind Indefatigable at Wetherby was a fair run, there is talk of switching to novice chasing if he fails to produce the goods today.
Indefatigable is on worse terms this afternoon, but the mare looks the major threat to the selection.
There is plenty of excitement surrounding JONBON (1.15, ITV) in the Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football ‘National Hunt’ Maiden Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson’s full-brother to Irish
NH star Douvan, who had a £540,000 price tag at the sales, won a point before an impressive bumper success over course and distance in March.
SOLO (1.50, ITV, treble) failed to build on a growing reputation as a hurdling prospect last term, but bounced back with a gallant second place on his debut over the bigger obstables, beaten a nose by Nassalam at Ascot last month.
The five-yearold should build on that performance when taking on Boothill and Mister Coffey, who are both making their chasing debuts.
GAELIK COAST (2.25, ITV, nb) can land the Get Your Ladbrokes 1 Free Bet Today Handicap Chase for in-form trainer Donald McCain, above, and runaway jockeys’ championship leader Brian Hughes.
The seven-year-old was beaten a head on his first start in six months, but then got the job done off top weight at Musselburgh last month.
EYESOFTHESCORPION (3.35, ITV) is developing into a decent three-mile handicap hurdler for Fergal O’Brien and will enjoy a strong pace.