bookies.com Free Bets Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 5m 4.0s

Curious Carlos²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 135| D

3/1

Conistent performer at this level at up to this sort of trip and on a sound/slower surface. Has enjoyed a good summer and remains very competitive from this sort of mark, though perhaps a little high for him to win from.

Form: 00-12F2

Braavos¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 130| BF| D

9/4

Won a couple of times last year, but has been unable to cope with a hike in the handicap since then for the most part. Went close from 4lb lower two starts ago, but held over 3m here last time from this mark and has a little bit to find.

Form: 205P-23

Doubly Clever¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: M G Nolan| T: M Blake| OR: 129| D

9/2

Recorded back-to-back wins in the summer and goes into this 5lb higher than the second of those at Worcester (2m4f, good). Went well in defeat back there last time and can't be ruled out despite being exposed.

Form: 44-1142

Holly Bush Henry^p,t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: P W Middleton| OR: 127| C

12/1

Arguably at his best over shorter than this. Has certainly shown the ability to handle this sort of mark in the past, but recent efforts have been below par and he looks best watched until showing signs of a revival.

Form: 123-966

Dovils Date⁵⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: George Blackwell⁽⁷⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 124| CD

9/1

Sees out 2m on the Flat, though this looks to be his optimum trip over hurdles and he scored over C&D by 10L last year from a 2lb lower mark. This is more his level than his latest run over 3m and he has claims.

Form: 11435-5

Gabrial The Great^p,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 123| D

4/1

Returns to hurdles for the first time in a year. Trip and ground suit and he is 15lb lower in the hurdles ratings than his latest chase run. Surely has claims of exploiting that with success.

Form: 55-5324

Forecasts

Braavos (9/4), Curious Carlos (3/1), Gabrial The Great (4/1), Doubly Clever (9/2), Dovils Date (9/1), Holly Bush Henry (12/1)

Dovils Date looks to have decent claims now returned to this trip and Tim Vaughan's charge can give a good account, though GABRIAL THE GREAT is given the vote. David Pipe's looks to have found a good opportunity for his eight-year-old to exploit what now looks a good hurdles mark. Doubly Clever, Braavos and Curios Carlos are all exposed but not discounted.