Hatfields Shrewsbury Land Rover And Jaguar Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 4m 17.54s

Verano^p,t¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Ross Turner⁽⁸⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 100

16/1

Not really shown an awful lot in three starts since returning from a long absence and faces some potential improvers in this. Would need to take a big step forward to figure.

Form: 3P/5-709

Wazowski²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Aaron McGlinchey⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 99| BF

5/2

Won just once in 18 career starts (June 2016; 2m soft). However, he's consistent from this kind of mark, regularly making the frame, and is hard to knock given that he is brave and races with just one eye. Well held latest over further at Hexham.

Form: 533-334

Princess Mononoke³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: R D Day| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 97| BF

13/2

Point-to-point winner and scored over 2m (soft) in Hexham novice hurdle in the spring. Not shown a lot in handicaps so far but mark sliding and dangerous to discount better efforts forthcoming.

Form: 513-P58

Virginia Chick⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 87

4/6

Returned from 77-day break with much-improved showing at Exeter (2m2½f, soft) to win easily seven days ago. Carries 7lb penalty but will take plenty stopping if in same mood over shorter distance.

Form: 588-601

Passing Fiesta^b⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: S-J Davies| OR: 73

50/1

Form over fences lately has been poor, failing to complete in previous three outings. Back over hurdles now, 1lb wrong on current terms and with plenty to prove.

Form: PF8-PPP

Forecasts

Virginia Chick (4/6), Wazowski (5/2), Princess Mononoke (13/2), Verano (16/1), Passing Fiesta (50/1)

VIRGINIA CHICK delivered by far his best effort to date when back from a short break at Exeter last week. He appeared to score with a good deal in hand there and so, despite this drop in trip, it would be brave to suggest the penalty he's carrying now will be enough to stop him doubling up. On top of that, the opposition is thin on the ground. Princess Mononoke has flattered to deceive since going handicapping but could improve, while Wazowski is an admirable performer and should be more at home over this trip than last time. The remaining pair are hard to make any case for.