North Norfolk Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 30.3s

Fixed Rate^b,t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Angus Cheleda⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C J Mann| OR: 125| CD

9/2

Stayed well on the Flat and that stamina has come to the fore over hurdles with a C&D win and also success at Doncaster recently. Yet to race on heavy (won on very soft in France). Well held from this mark last time but a contender if at his best.

Form: 351P16

Artifice Sivola^h⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Maxime Tissier⁽⁷⁾| T: L Wadham| OR: 124| BF| CD

5/2

Loves it here with three course wins (one C&D) to his name and landed this race last year from a 6lb lower mark. Has only raced over fences since and remained consistent. Handles heavy ground and not ruled out of repeat success with 7lb claimed.

Form: 124-22F

Mariah's Legend³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 122

7/1

Caused 33-1 shock in a Huntingdon maiden hurdle (2m4½f, good to soft) 12 months ago but has been more 'out' than 'in' since. Reverts to hurdles after two runs in novices' chases. Should be capable from this mark and interesting if going on heavy.

Form: 1639-5P

Argante¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: H Spiller| OR: 120| CD

5/1

Won a C&D (good to soft) maiden hurdle here for Nicky Henderson 13-months ago by 15L, but handicapper in control in both hurdles runs since. Goes into this from confidence boosting All Weather run at Chelmsford (2m) but bit to prove over timber.

Form: 3/61P-0

Crookstown^b²⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 10-8| J: Ian Popham| T: B I Case| OR: 107| D

12/1

Not as good as he once was, but goes on any ground and stays 2m4f on a flat track. 12lb lower here than when winning over fences at Haydock in May and not out of this judged on hurdles run at Market Rasen from 3lb higher in November.

Form: 1U6057

Mamoo^v1¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: T E Whelan| T: N B King| OR: 105| CD

5/2

Has put up three of his better efforts here and recorded his sole success over C&D (soft, in cheek pieces) last month. 2lb higher today and in a better contest, but should appreciate return to this trip and claims if visor has a positive effect.

Form: 235417

Forecasts

Artifice Sivola (5/2), Mamoo (5/2), Fixed Rate (9/2), Argante (5/1), Mariah's Legend (7/1), Crookstown (12/1)

A small enough field but it is hard to rule any of them out with total confidence and in the hope that his class will be a significant factor, the suggestion is FIXED RATE. Charlie Mann's charge was out of sorts last time, but he handles soft ground and races over his optimum trip, while he has C&D winning form. The last comment also applies to Mamoo who could be a serious danger in receipt of plenty of weight. Crookstown, Mariah's Legend and Artifice Sivola all have points of merit and are not dismissed lightly.