In Play Betting At 188Bet Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 3m 44.47s

Charmant^h³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Steven Fox⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ewart| OR: 118| D

11/4

Has been improving this season, scoring at Sedgefield (2m1f, soft) and Ayr (2m, heavy) in December, the latter from 8lb lower. Found out in higher grade last time but no disgrace in that run and should be very competitive here.

Form: 324-114

Ask The Tycoon⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 110| D

7/1

Debut bumper winner who has run well on both starts over hurdles and has been given a fair mark for this handicap debut. Ground perhaps more lively than he has tried but if handling it you couldn't rule out improvement.

Form: 5-P1134

Canny Style³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: K A Ryan| OR: 108| BF| CD

9/4

Won a maiden hurdle over C&D (good) in November and ran well despite being beaten favourite at Sedgefield last time on her handicap debut. From same mark and back here, she should not be far away.

Form: 213

Nendrum^t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Jamie Hamilton⁽³⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 106| BF| CD

7/4

Change of tactics in recent runs has induced a change of fortune, with a 24L C&D win (good to soft) followed by a ½L defeat last time at Catterick. Up another 7lb, but in form and a leading player.

Form: 6/07312

Hey Listen⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Thomas Willmott⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 98

20/1

Made the frame in one of his seven starts under rules, in a Perth novices' hurdle (2m, good to soft) in September. Has lacked consistency since and despite handy-looking mark/10lb claimed, he carries risks.

Form: P3P6P0

Forecasts

Nendrum (7/4), Canny Style (9/4), Charmant (11/4), Ask The Tycoon (7/1), Hey Listen (20/1)

Ask The Tycoon is one to check out in the market ahead of this handicap debut from what looks a fair mark, but if recent forcing tactics are again employed then NENDRUM will be tough enough to beat despite his latest 7lb rise. Charmant can again get competitive back at this level, while Canny Style should be thereabouts after a decent handicap sighter last time.