EPDS Racing Welfare BTO Series 2017 Handicap Hurdle

Beaten a neck into second off this mark in a novice handicap hurdle at Wetherby (good) over an extended 2m5f in October 2016. Poor efforts at big prices the last twice and needs to step up on recent efforts to figure here.

Consistent sort who was beaten a head off a 4lb lower mark over an extended 2m2f here on good ground last month. Had earlier finished third off the same mark at Catterick and looks likely to run well here for a yard with a 33% strike-rate recently (2/6).

Maiden after nine starts under rules. Unseated rider early on at Southwell on his most recent run and held over an extended 3m at Doncaster off a 1lb lower mark prior to that. More needed in this.

Lightly raced over hurdles since 2017 but 5lb drop in the weights following a pulled up effort at Towcester seemed to work when finishing 7L second of eight at Exeter later that month. Interesting runner in this.

Well beaten in eight starts to date including two for this yard. Beaten 30L at Wetherby over 3m last month and drops in trip here.

Successful on heavy ground over an extended 1m7f at Leicester (heavy) in February.. Finished third of six twice since on soft and good ground. Would probably prefer softer ground than is forecast here.

Sole success came off a 9lb lower mark over an extended 2m5f at Newton Abbot (good) in August last year. Well beaten in two starts so far in 2017 but led until weakening two out over 3m at Perth (good) last time out and the drop in trip here should suit.

Beaten 19L into fourth when contesting a 2m1f handicap hurdle at Sedgefield (good) last month on his debut for this stable. Won off an 8lb higher mark in the past and worth a check in the market with cheekpieces added here.

Won just one of his 40 outings to date with that coming in a selling handicap hurdle at Wetherby in 2014. Beaten 8¼L here on his penultimate outing and has a tongue tie added today.

Successful over an extended 2m2f here on good ground in June 2016 but failed to complete off higher marks subsequently (clipped heels when going ok on one occasion). Well beaten on return from over five months off the track at Bangor (good) last month and likely to have improved for that outing.