Anderson Anderson & Brown Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 4m 35.9s

Thunder Sheik^p¹⁷⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 122| D

7/2

Lost his way last season and drops significantly in grade. Has gone well fresh in the past and stable's runners command respect here. The pick of his form has come on much quicker ground than is forecast.

Form: P/54PP5-

Strong Economy¹⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: C O'Farrell| T: R M Smith| OR: 120

9/4

Looks sure to relish the conditions having scored on similar ground at Ayr (2m5f). He struggled in handicaps on his next two starts and his mark is no more than fair. Trip is on the short side but forcing tactics could be adopted.

Form: 7421U9-

Jet Master^h,t¹³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 114| CD

9/4

Going for a hat-trick of wins in this having been patiently ridden to score last year off 3lb lower. Won that following a break but his record on ground worse than good-to-soft makes him less appealing.

Form: 37743-5

Dakota Grey^h¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 105

3/1

Lost his way last season after a promising novice campaign which saw him score impressively at Carlisle (2m1f, heavy). Ran well to three out on return two weeks ago and a further hefty drop in the weights makes him one to consider.

Form: 2/PPPP-6

Forecasts

Jet Master (9/4), Strong Economy (9/4), Dakota Grey (3/1), Thunder Sheik (7/2)

The forecast of heavy ground will be a concern for connections of Thunder Sheikh and Jet Master. The latter goes for a third straight win in this and, given there is no outstanding candidate to deny otherwise, his chances cannot be dismissed entirely. Strong Economy won't mind the conditions although the trip looks sharp enough for his seasonal return. We favour DAKOTA GREY who arrives fitter than his three rivals and who has he optimum mix of trip and ground. His novice form leaves him well in for this following a 5lb drop for his latest run and, in receipt of plenty of weight from his rivals, he makes plenty of appeal.