Central Group Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 5m 52.26s

Terry The Fish⁹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 12-3| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131| D

4/1

Enjoyed a stellar summer by winning three on the bounce at Uttoxeter (all 2m7½f good). Up the weights 35lb in total, including 14lb since his latest success in mid July, but his form is strong and he has the conditions to suit.

Form: 773-111

Scoop The Pot^t¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B J Geraghty| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 126| BF| CD

1/1

6lb higher than when successful over C&D on his penultimate start in early August; beat Court King by a neck. Possibly didn't quite stay when a beaten favourite at Fontwell latest, but should be thereabouts.

Form: 3P/F5-13

Sykes¹⁸³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: Nicky Martin| OR: 126| CD

25/1

Three time hurdles winner (including in a C&D maiden in October 2014) who returns from an extended spell over fences. Has left Philip Hobbs for pastures new, but not insignificant that the Champion Jockey retains the ride.

Form: 216F45-

Henllan Harri¹⁰⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 126

6/1

His last eight starts have come over fences, and he was a shock 40/1 winner of the 3m4f+ Grade 3 Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on his penultimate start in April when beating Vyta Du Roc by a head. Seasonal reappearance.

Form: 51231-4

Mont Choisy^b,t1¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: James Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 123| CD

12/1

Has disappointed a fraction since winning at Newton Abbot in August (3m2½f good/soft), but better than the bare result latest (stumbled badly three out). Not the easiest ride, and the tongue-tie now accompanies blinkers. Stablemate of Henllan Harry.

Form: 6331U7

Kalifourchon^p,t³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 120| C| D

20/1

A fair summer months performer, but one who is probably handicapped to about his best over hurdles at present. Chasing is quickly bypassed for now after a tame showing on debut here last month. Others preferred.

Form: 45-2825

Bendomingo¹³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 119

10/1

Won just once in 18 career starts, but that was on his penultimate start at Warwick in May (2m5f good). Beaten over 2m4f from this mark here subsequently and this looks rather competitive.

Form: 2443-15

Forecasts

Scoop The Pot (1/1), Terry The Fish (4/1), Henllan Harri (6/1), Bendomingo (10/1), Mont Choisy (12/1), Kalifourchon (20/1), Sykes (25/1)

A competitive contest which features the return of Sandown hero Henllan Harri, and he's one of two runners for Peter Bowen, the other being Mont Choisy. However, the horse to concentrate upon is the vastly improved TERRY THE FISH. The handicapper hasn't missed his progress at Uttoxeter over the summer months, but his form reads well overall, and despite this being by far his toughest test yet, these conditions should prove to his liking following a short break. Scoop The Pot is another to have climbed the weights recently, but he should be thereabouts from a mark 6lb higher than when winning over C&D on his penultimate start in August.