Read Richard Johnson On Betway Blog Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 5m 49.80s

Zero Grand⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Farrelly| OR: 132

25/1

Dual winner over hurdles including on soft ground over an extended 3m1f at Hereford in March. Disappointing on both starts this season and races off a mark 5lb higher than for that Hereford success.

Form: 4411-7P

Fortunate George^v²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 131| CD

4/1

Winner of a 2m5f handicap chase at Ascot (good-to-soft) in November. Best effort since came when third over the same C&D last month and he returns to hurdles today.

Form: 535173

Dusky Lark⁴⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: James Best| T: R Walford| OR: 128| C

16/1

Made a winning debut for this yard in a 2m4f handicap chase here last February. Disappointing in two starts this season and more needed today.

Form: 2214-P3

Savoy Court³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 127| CD

7/4

Impressive winner of a handicap hurdle on heavy ground over C&D last time out. Raised 10lb for that success and is one for the shortlist for a stable with a 23% strike-rate (5/22) in recent weeks.

Form: 1/9P2-51

Never Equalled^p⁸⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: Jordan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 125| D

16/1

Winning for the third time over hurdles when victorious in a 2m4f handicap hurdle at Ffos Las (soft) last March. Well held on seasonal debut in November and returning from a break today.

Form: 24431-6

Watcombe Heights⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 124

2/1

Both hurdles wins have come on ground significantly quicker than is forecast today but he did run well on his final start for Martin Hill when finishing 2l third at Exeter (soft) last time out. Making his debut for a new yard today.

Form: 0/21F32

Cougar Kid^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 115

14/1

Successful four times under today's rider including over an extended 2m3f at Hereford (soft) last time out. Raised 10lb for that success and interesting to see how he fares today.

Form: 511351

Forecasts

Savoy Court (7/4), Watcombe Heights (2/1), Fortunate George (4/1), Cougar Kid (14/1), Dusky Lark (16/1), Never Equalled (16/1), Zero Grand (25/1)

SAVOY COURT looks likely to prove hard to beat despite a 10lb rise for his most recent victory and he can make it two from two in handicap company in this handicap hurdle. The selection represents a stable who come into this contest with a 23% strike-rate (5/22) in recent weeks and he can get the better of bottom weight Cougar Kid who is another to have tasted success last time. Watcombe Heights makes his debut for trainer Colin Tizzard today and he is taken to finish third.