Cecil And Sheila Buttifant Memorial Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 3y | 6 Runners | Turf

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Ryan Winks⁽⁵⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 112| BF| D

Experienced campaigner who won well at Wetherby in January, but was well held off this mark at Catterick last time. Softer ground should help and he is respected despite carrying top weight.

Form: 607216

Ardmayle²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-13| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: A Stronge| OR: 111| D

Went up 4lb for winning a handicap at Leicester in January and could finish only third of seven at Southwell last time. Runs off the same mark, but top claiming jockey's allowance will help.

Form: 4-04713

New Kid In Town¹³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Jack Savage⁽⁷⁾| T: P Winks| OR: 110| D

Stable companion of Gran Maestro who was having his first run for this yard since leaving the Willie Mullins stable when pulled up in a Wetherby handicap chase. Interesting switched back to hurdles under good claimer.

Form: PP4-P0P

Ormskirk¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 104

Unplaced in eight starts over hurdles when trained in Ireland, but has been running with credit on the Flat for current handler and also shaped well to be a close third of eight over timber at Plumpton. Sound claims off 2lb higher.

Form: 77-4473

Dyliev^t1³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: S Bowen| T: Mrs Caroline Bailey| OR: 103

Three quiet runs in novice company before finishing a good third of 10 on handicap debut at Huntingdon. Competes off the same rating in a first-time tongue tie and improvement is on the cards.

Form: 6553

Gin And Tonic^b¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: M Wigham| OR: 79| CD

Won over C&D in December and is back to the same handicap mark after some disappointing efforts since then. Nevertheless, he runs from 5lb out of the weights which makes his task a tough one.

Form: 831847

Forecasts

Ardmayle (9/4), Dyliev (3/1), New Kid In Town (9/2), Gran Maestro (5/1), Ormskirk (6/1), Gin And Tonic (12/1)

Stable companions Gran Maestro and New Kid In Town are respected and the latter could shape much better switched to timber, but the percentage call is ORMSKIRK, who has shown improvement since joining his current trainer and can build on a sound display at Plumpton. Dyliev can follow him home, while Ardmayle is not ruled out.