Betfred 'Fred's Festive Giveaway' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:12 | Winning time: 6m 17.50s

Hadfield^p,t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 120

9/2

Failed to score since winning on hurdles debut for John Ferguson at Worcester (good-to-soft) in September 2015. Running well in defeat of late however and races off the same mark as when finishing third at Lingfield (soft) earlier this month.

Form: 3P53-33

Catching On^t²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 118

9/1

Victorious five times most recently over 3m2f at Warwick (heavy) in February. Put in his best effort this season when finishing 8L fourth over 2m4f here last time out and this step up in trip is a positive.

Form: 715-804

Malapie²⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 116

10/3

Dual winner over hurdles including in a 3m handicap contest at Southwell (soft) in March. Decent efforts in finishing fourth on both outings this season but vulnerable to better handicapped rivals.

Form: B/21P-44

One Forty Seven²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 115

5/1

Point-to-point winner who's best effort over hurdles came when third on good-to-soft ground at Leicester over an extended 2m4f 13 months ago. Decent effort over 2m4f last time and steps up in trip today.

Form: UDP3-05

Maguire's Glen²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: M Hamill⁽⁵⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 115

11/2

Heavy ground winner at Newton Abbott in October and returning to form when finishing 9L third over 2m5f at Towcester (good) last time out. One to note stepping up in trip.

Form: 421P73

King Uther^v1⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: David Noonan| T: C Gordon| OR: 114

4/1

Winner of a maiden hurdle on heavy ground at Lingfield on his penultimate start and ran well to finish fourth on his first attempt at this trip at Exeter (soft) last time. Wears a visor for the first time today.

Form: 0/F531-4

Ceann Sibheal^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 113| D

10/1

Completing a double when winning over 3m2f at Warwick (good) in March 2016. Had just four starts since then and needs to step up on what he showed on his return to hurdles at Haydock (2m7f, heavy) last time.

Form: 115/6P-4

Forecasts

Malapie (10/3), King Uther (4/1), Hadfield (9/2), One Forty Seven (5/1), Maguire's Glen (11/2), Catching On (9/1), Ceann Sibheal (10/1)

CATCHING ON ran well to finish fourth over a trip short of his best here last time out and this step up in distance can see Jonjo O'Neill's charge return to the winners enclosure. The selection should appreciate the soft ground and with good chase form over further he can take advantage of his falling handicap mark today. Hadfield has been running well without winning in recent outings and can take second here ahead of Maguire's Glen who should appreciate the step up in trip today.