Signs 2000 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 5m 47.3s

On Tour¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 137| D

7/1

Won three of his six starts over hurdles and developed into a smart handicap chaser. Recent mishaps over the larger obstacles have prompted a switch back to timber. Mark gives him work to do, but stamina not an issue.

Form: 54-1U9F

Jeannot De Nonant^p¹⁷⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: T J O'Brien| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 135

6/1

Plenty of experience in France and solid form in good company over hurdles in Ireland. Stays well and handles the conditions, but may need this first run since August.

Form: 738-435

Cave Top¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Ross Turner⁽⁷⁾| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 132| CD

3/1

Dual C&D winner on testing ground this term and the latest has been boosted by the runner-up. Remains on a feasible mark and not disgraced in Grade 2 company last time. Capable of even better when his jumping improves.

Form: 5-12115

Yalltari²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Hugh Nugent⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 126

13/8

Has comfortably landed two handicaps this winter, although his task was made easier last time when the leader fell two out. Finished tired that day and a 7lb hike in the weights may be setting the bar too high.

Form: 33-11

Blairs Cove^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Bridget Andrews⁽³⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 125

10/1

Has not been quite as good since the ground has turned soft and this will be really testing. Dropping down the weights and he will be nicely handicapped when conditions turn favourable.

Form: 215336

Applesandpierres¹¹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: David England| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| C| D

14/1

Yet to recapture last season's form and particularly poor last time. Reported to have enjoyed the good ground when scoring at Wetherby last term and that makes him a risk in these conditions.

Form: F21-558

Sleepy Haven^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 123

10/1

Running consistently at present and easing down the weights. Has been well beaten on previous attempts at this trip, but recent efforts have found him lacking the pace to score over 2m. Worth another try and with conditions favourable.

Form: 24-5326

Forecasts

Yalltari (13/8), Cave Top (3/1), Jeannot De Nonant (6/1), On Tour (7/1), Sleepy Haven (10/1), Blairs Cove (10/1), Applesandpierres (14/1)

Yaltari will be fancied to complete the hat-trick, although he looked fortunate last time and the handicapper may have got it wrong. Sleepy Haven is overdue a win and although he is yet to make the frame at this trip, it is possible he is better handicapped for this attempt and recent runs appear to indicate the extra yards are needed. CAVE TOP is a C&D specialist who has scored twice here when conditions have been similar and the form of his latest victory has been boosted since. On Tour reverts to hurdles having failed to complete in two of his last three chases. Conditions will bring his stamina into play and he has the class to go close in a race where many of his rivals will struggle with the ground and/or their current marks.