Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 3.3s

The Last Samuri²¹⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 154| C

33/1

Very smart staying chaser who was a 6L second in the 2016 Grand National and whose last run was in this year's Aintree renewal. Trip will clearly ask questions of his speed but could still run a nice race in preparation for more big chasing targets.

Form: 12/5320-

Who Dares Wins³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 148

9/2

Grade 2 and Listed winner over hurdles who comes here fit after winning over a marathon trip on the Flat and a respectable effort in the Cesarewitch last time. Looks capable of going close again.

Form: 4U1033-

Bags Groove^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: N D Fehily| T: H Fry| OR: 140

2/1

Has looked a little bit short of the class of the top two on the list, but produced a career-best when running on well to win at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) last time. Is going to need further improvement after an 8lb rise but not ruled out.

Form: 2151-81

Le Breuil²¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: D A Jacob| T: B Pauling| OR: 139| D

4/1

Won on bumper debut and also won his first two hurdles runs last year, each by 9L. Couldn't make an impact when stepped up into Grade 1 company at Aintree in April but still plenty to look forward to. In-form trainer should have him ready.

Form: 1411P-

Sneaky Feeling¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 135

16/1

Enjoyed novices' hurdle wins at Newbury (2m3f, good to soft) and Sandown (2m4f, soft) last season and looked as though he needed his recent return run at Aintree. Looks on a fair mark and should be much more competitive this time.

Form: 43181-0

Maestro Royal¹⁹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 135

25/1

Three-time hurdles winner, the latest being at Newbury (2m½f, good to soft) in March from a mark of 130. Faster ground a possible excuse when well beaten at Perth in April. If this surface allows him to perform then he has a squeak from this mark.

Form: 721717-

Sumkindofking³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 127

5/2

Point-to-point, bumper and maiden hurdle winner in 2016, and reasonably competitive in some decent handicaps since, his best effort being over C&D (good) in March. Could come on for recent return and not ruled out despite being 1lb 'wrong'.

Form: 17550-9

Forecasts

Bags Groove (2/1), Sumkindofking (5/2), Le Breuil (4/1), Who Dares Wins (9/2), Sneaky Feeling (16/1), Maestro Royal (25/1), The Last Samuri (33/1)

Sumkindofking may be out of the handicap going into this competitive contest, but with just the minimum weight to carry it would be no surprise to see him run well. Who Dares Wins is a consistent performer who should give them all plenty to think about, while Bags Groove could be an improver and neither Sneaky Feeling nor Maestro Royal is taken on lightly. However, preference is for LE BREUIL, who goes well when fresh, represents a stable in decent form and can continue to build on what was a good novices' campaign this time around.