R.A.B.I./Joan Collison Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 4m 6.6s

Boru's Brook^b1⁴⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: J & S Best| OR: 128| CD

20/1

Was upsides high-class Might Bite two out when going wrong three years ago over hurdles. Won novice chase following season then ran on Flat cutting little ice. Two year absence, needed run at Wolverhampton latest. First-time blinkers. Interesting.

Form: 311P1P/

Doc Carver²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: J McGrath| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 121| BF

11/8

Second in novice hurdles at Leicester and Bangor this term. Going well on handicap bow at Towcester last time when fell 3 out. Big chance if fall hasn't unsettled him. Yard in form as well.

Form: 19-522F

Not Never⁵⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 113| CD

5/2

Won a Huntingdon last April and made fine return when battling home over C&D last month in heavy ground off 6lb higher mark. Raised a further 5lb but may have more to give and should be in the thick of the action.

Form: 4061-21

Zen Master^h⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Harry Bannister| T: C J Mann| OR: 110

10/1

Won good ground Market Rasen maiden hurdle in October but has run poorly in two handicaps since then on easier surfaces. Has only been eased 1lb so others make more appeal on these terms.

Form: 42-3106

Hope's Wishes¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Dave Crosse| T: F Brennan| OR: 109| C| D

25/1

A win and a second in two visits to this track. Dropped 2lb after getting stuck in heavy ground at Uttoxeter latest and comes into it on her previous second at same track. Worth noting any market move in her favour.

Form: 230-524

Darwins Theory^t³⁰¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Mr M Legg⁽⁵⁾| T: Mrs F M Shaw| OR: 107| D

8/1

Absent 10 months so has fitness to prove. Ended last campaign coming third at Kempton. Generally consistent at this level but may be better for this outing.

Form: 6/3234-3

Jumping Jack⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 115

11/2

Won three times on Flat for Richard Hughes at 7-8 1/2 furlongs. Runner-up three times in autumn juvenile hurdles and again second on Flat at Lingfield (10f) last month. Takes on older horses for first time but has solid chance off light weight.

Form: 43222

Forecasts

Doc Carver (11/8), Not Never (5/2), Jumping Jack (11/2), Darwins Theory (8/1), Zen Master (10/1), Boru's Brook (20/1), Hope's Wishes (25/1)

An interesting race in which you could make a case for just about all the runners. NOT NEVER gets a narrow vote having done it over C&D last time out. He goes on this ground and may defy the handicapper. Boru's Brook is thrown in on old form and rates a serious danger if he still retains some ability, and Doc Carver won't be far away if recovered from his fall last time when looking a likely winner. Jumping Jack shouldn't be far away either, while Hope's Wishes is feasibly handicapped on her best form.