Spirits Of Scone Stone Of Destiny Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 3m 58.7s

Mirsaale^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 135| CD

7/4

Brings in to the race an unbeaten C&D record and it was a return to this venue after a break that sparked a revival last time. Made mistakes within that run but impressed with the way he finished off the race; possibly more to come.

Form: 32594-1

Theflyingportrait^t⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 130| CD

18/1

His last hurdles run produced a win and since then he racked up four chase victories although he looks high enough in the weights in that sphere now. Off a lower hurdles mark here he'll be playing forcing tactics over a C&D.

Form: 111-514

Caius Marcius⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: N G Richards| OR: 128| CD

4/1

Another one in the field who likes it here (2/2 over C&D) although his win here on his penultimate start came in a weak heat for a 0-130. A rise in the weights and a tougher race prevented him from a follow-up and faces a test here.

Form: U417-14

Lovato^p²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 125| D

3/1

Now starting to look the finished article and drawing on his smart Flat form has progressed sharply over hurdles winning his last two. His most impressive effort coming last time at Worcester (quickened clear) and makes his handicap debut here.

Form: 2211

Dear Sire^h¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125| D

7/1

Hard to crab him too much as he has won four hurdles but this mark (125) looks to be a tough one for him. Not sure he really put in a full effort last time despite having the run of the race and this looks tougher.

Form: 515212

Green Zone²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: Miss L Harrison| OR: 115| CD

7/1

Performs well around this course with a C&D win contained in four course successes. In good form of late at a lower level reeling off a hat-trick but this will be tougher now off a 10lb higher mark than his last win.

Form: 86-5111

Forecasts

Mirsaale (7/4), Lovato (3/1), Caius Marcius (4/1), Dear Sire (7/1), Green Zone (7/1), Theflyingportrait (18/1)

Nicky Richards took this race last year but he’ll do well to follow-up this year with Caius Marcius who looks to be flying a little too high here. The same could be said of Dear Sire and Green Zone with Theflyingpotrait likely to provide the pace of the race. The improving duo of Mirsaale and LOVATO are the pick of the field with both capable of more progress and it’s the latter who gets the nod receiving weight.