Primo Bar & Bistro Barbados Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 7m 17.94s

Three Faces West^p²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 12-2| J: Tom Cheesman⁽⁵⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 137

7/2

Hasn't raced over hurdles since December 2015, but reverts to the smaller obstacles after hitting the deck on each of his last two starts at Haydock. His ability is unquestionable and his mark fair. Stays well.

Form: P11-3FF

Kris Spin⁴²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 133

8/1

Remains 4lb above his last winning mark, with that success coming at Ayr in November (3m heavy), when beating Hello George by ¾L. Should appreciate the ease in grade after tackling a tough Grade 3 Sandown handicap latest.

Form: F-51260

Oh Land Abloom¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Teal⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 133

7/1

Returned from a break (had a wind operation) in a jumpers bumper at Kempton earlier in the month. 4lb above his last winning mark, with that success coming under this rider at Plumpton in October (3m1f good to soft).

Form: 22-0146

King Uther^v³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 126| C| D

13/8

Appears to relish a test of stamina in the mud and continues in excellent form after his 3m2f Warwick victory in January. The handicapper is gradually having his say, but he boasts Fontwell experience with a bumper success here in February 2016.

Form: 31-4312

Book of Gold^p²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Conor Shoemark| T: O Sherwood| OR: 125

6/1

Still a maiden after eight starts, but we shouldn't knock him for that having contested similar competitive handicaps to this race. Edging up the weights, but holds similar claims to King Uther on Newbury form from last month.

Form: 634239

Antony¹¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 123| BF| C

6/1

Enjoyed big race success over fences winning the Grade 3 Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot in October 2016 (good). Struggled over fences this term, and switches to hurdles from a much lower handicap mark seeking to re-establish a spark of sorts.

Form: 18P-35P

Forecasts

King Uther (13/8), Three Faces West (7/2), Antony (6/1), Book of Gold (6/1), Oh Land Abloom (7/1), Kris Spin (8/1)

Not numerically strong, but competitive for the grade with a couple of useful but under-performing chasers (Three Faces West and Antony) switching back to the smaller obstacles seeking a revival. Both Kris Spin and Oh Land Abloom are winners this term, but do need to pull out more from their respective handicap marks, so King Uther and BOOK OF GOLD are preferred. The market will favour the former and given his current solid form that's perfectly fathomable, but at larger odds, small stakes are advised on the Oliver Sherwood trained maiden. He races prominently so this track could well suit and he has only ½L to find with King Uther on Newbury form.