12:55 Doncaster

Saturday 27 January 2018

All12:5513:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:20

grandnational.fans Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:55 | Winning time: 4m 54.99s

Slanelough^h¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 122

5/1

Has enjoyed a decent season so far, winning on his reappearance at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in novices' company and showing improvement in handicaps. Held from this mark, but in a better race at Wetherby last time, but not ruled out in this grade.

Form: 22-1723

Bandsman¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| D

16/1

Reeled off a couple of novices' hurdle wins at Market Rasen last season at up to 2m2½f, on good to soft, but has struggled to answer handicapper's calls so far. Looks interesting, however, from this mark and dropped in grade.

Form: 2110-58

Miles To Milan⁴²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: O Murphy| OR: 120| D

9/2

Won a Taunton novices' hurdle (2m3f, heavy) in 2015 when with Philip Hobbs, but out of form in all three handicap runs. Now makes debut for in-form trainer on first start for 14-months. 5lb drop will help too and a market check is suggested.

Form: 3130/0P-

Scrafton⁶⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: R P McLernon| T: B Pauling| OR: 116| BF

20/1

Had a spell hurdling in 2014/15, winning a novices' hurdle at Market Rasen (2m½f, good) and being placed in several others. Has won on Flat since then and returns to this sphere with 8lb drop for his handicap debut . Market should be a good guide.

Form: U22312/

Copper West²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: C Gethings⁽³⁾| T: T R George| OR: 115

9/2

Irish point-to-point winner who disappointed on debut for this trainer in a Southwell maiden hurdle last month. Produced similar effort at Ludlow (2m5f) last time. Slight drop in trip may help, but initial mark stiff enough on what we have seen.

Form: 15-443

Princess Tara³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 114

20/1

Won a couple of hurdles at Ffos Las (2m6f) on bottomless ground for Peter Bowen in 2015 and obliged on debut for this trainer at Perth (2m4f, good) two years ago. Been chasing since, though last two runs give her a bit to prove back over hurdles.

Form: 5P1/25P

Ouro Branco⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: S Bowen| T: N J Hawke| OR: 114

16/1

Won a heavy ground Carlisle bumper last March and has shown a bit of ability over hurdles on soft ground. Mark looks fair for his handicap debut and trip should also be within his compass, so a decent run anticipated.

Form: 314-496

Durbanville^p1³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: J Ewart| OR: 111| BF| D

8/1

Another Carlisle scorer, in his case the win being in a novices' hurdle (2m3½f, heavy) in October. Has run well on both starts in handicaps since then at up to 3m1½f. Drops in trip here with cheekpieces fitted and from same mark he is considered.

Form: 44-133

Ruaraidh Hugh^p⁴⁷⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-2| J: J Kington⁽³⁾| T: Julia Brooke| OR: 110| D

100/1

Conditions are a concern for this gelding, whose five hurdle wins have all been on good ground. In addition to that, he has to overcome an absence of 15-months and despite a 6lb drop to help him, he looks best watched.

Form: 761756-

Sommervieu^b²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: B S Hughes| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 120

40/1

Made the frame a few times over hurdles in France at up to 2m1f and acts on soft ground. Was sent off at 6-1 for a juvenile contest at Ludlow last time and didn't run badly. Hard to assess initial mark here and market might shed some light on it.

Form: 2523P4

Astaroland^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Candlish| OR: 107

16/1

Not seen a whole lot of action since winning back-to-back handicap hurdles in summer 2015, the more recent from 4lb higher than today. Handles but and ran with credit at Catterick (2m3½f, soft) last time. Each-way claims.

Form: 552-943

Master Vintage^h⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: Daniel Hiskett⁽⁵⁾| T: R T Phillips| OR: 107

20/1

Won a soft ground Leicester handicap hurdle (1m7½f) this time last year under this pilot, from a 5lb lower mark. Not very consistent, but based on his run at Wetherby in November he might have a chance of picking up some prize money.

Form: 3/146-45

Saint Cajetan²⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 106

11/1

Has twice been runner-up over this trip, including over C&D (soft), though remains a maiden after eight starts. Certainly arrives on a handy looking mark if he is fit after a nine-month absence, so can't rule out, though this is a competitive race.

Form: 246255-

Amadeus Rox^p⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 109| BF

11/1

Yet to win from five attempts over hurdles but has gone close a couple of times. Beaten 16L last time out at Lingfield on his handicap debut and dropped 12lb today, which makes him a very interesting proposition upped in trip.

Form: 24243

Forecasts

Copper West (9/2), Miles To Milan (9/2), Slanelough (5/1), Durbanville (8/1), Amadeus Rox (11/1), Saint Cajetan (11/1), Ouro Branco (16/1), Astaroland (16/1), Bandsman (16/1), Master Vintage (20/1), Scrafton (20/1), Princess Tara (20/1), Sommervieu (40/1), Ruaraidh Hugh (100/1)

Competitive fayre to open the card, with both Bandsman and Slanelough very interesting now dropping to this level and both have claims. Durbanville enters calculations along with Ouro Branco, though the suggestion is bottom weight AMADEUS ROX. Alan King's juvenile has the potential to win races and looks as though he will be suited by this step up in trip, while he looks more than capable from this mark. Several others would be of interest if supported here, so check the market with regard to Miles To Milan, Scrafton and Sommervieu.