US Masters Golf At 188Bet Handicap Hurdle

Returns after a break here and on forecast going that is right up his street. Enjoyed a productive autumn with a couple of wins until the handicapper began to take control. Has won when fresh before and he is far from ruled out here despite the need to improve again to win.

Last success was on the Flat in October 2015 but has also been hurdling in that time ans is now 7lb lower than his latest hurdles success which was a month earlier. Best form on good or good to soft ground though stamina will be brought into question over this trip.

Runner-up in both his last two starts, at Ludlow on soft ground, and has been raised 6lb as a result. Stays well and would not be winning out of turn, though may again find something too good.

Easy winner of a Plumpton handicap hurdle last week (2m4½f, good to firm) and connections waste no time in asking him to try for a repeat under a penalty. Has strung a hat-trick together when on song in the past and likely to prove very tough to beat.

Newton Abbot maiden hurdle winner (2m2½f, good to firm) last May but has struggled with the handicapper's assessment since racing in this sphere. Might do better for racing on spring ground again, though literal interpretation of recent form suggests that he needs a further drop in the weights.

Came closest to winning in a Newton Abbot maiden hurdle a year or so ago (2m1f, good to soft). Has only had three attempts over increasing trips in handicap hurdles and was made favourite, though well beaten, last time. Further 1lb drop will help, as may a break, so not ruled out.

6lb higher than when winning a 2m4f handicap hurdle here in November (good). Fell next time when sent off favourite at Huntingdon and then out of sorts over both hurdles and on the Flat since. Break may have done him good though has not yet won when fresh and perhaps best watched today.

C&D winner on soft ground 14 months ago and still 13lb higher, despite being well beaten in four out of five starts over both fences and hurdles since then. Best form with cut in the ground and looks one to take on today.