Smarkets Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 1.0s

Moabit^t¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 131| CD

11/4

A 5lb drop saw him return to form with a win at Chepstow (2m, soft) last time, by a ready 4½L. Back up 6lb for that, but he has previously strung several wins together and now back in good nick he will be tough to beat.

Form: 5P-2341

Sea Wall^h¹⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Reed⁽⁷⁾| T: C Gordon| OR: 127| CD

4/1

Has improved over the past year. Completed a hat-trick over both hurdles/fences last spring and is trying to do the same again after back-to-back course wins on heavy ground. 5lb higher than last hurdle win but can't say he won't bridge the gap.

Form: 1-22611

Watcombe Heights¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 124

11/4

Won a Newton Abbot maiden hurdle (2m2½f) in August and has shown that he handles it soft over the winter, running well to make the frame three times. Beaten 5L from this mark over 2m5½f here last time and needs to eek out more now dropped in trip.

Form: 21F322

Show On The Road^h⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 122| BF

11/4

Wide margin winner of an Exeter novices' hurdle (2m1f, heavy) on New Year's Day before being beaten 1¼L by Sea Wall, whom he meets again on 1lb better terms, over C&D last time. Still improving and very much one to consider.

Form: 1/62212

Another Crick^h²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: Noel Williams| OR: 117

16/1

Has improved with each run over hurdles and now goes handicapping for the first time. Initial mark looks tough enough on what we have seen and in a competitive race a watching brief may be advisable. Trip/ground suit.

Form: 562423

Catchin Time^p,t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: L Hurley| OR: 98

50/1

Won back-to-back handicap hurdles early last year, the second of them from 4lb higher than today. Has not been in the same sort of form in four starts this term. Would be a big threat if back to his best, but has that to prove from 3lb 'wrong'.

Form: 43-5487

Forecasts

Moabit (11/4), Show On The Road (11/4), Watcombe Heights (11/4), Sea Wall (4/1), Another Crick (16/1), Catchin Time (50/1)

A small field but nonetheless competitive for that and now that he is back to form it could pay to stick with MOABIT, who won with a bit in hand last time and with Bryony Frost's claim, he may be able to handle a 6lb rise. Show On The Road could pose a threat and may have the edge on the older Sea Wall this time around. Both are respected in opposition.