Harry And Betty Savill Memorial Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Age: 7| Weight: 12-2| J: N de Boinville| T: D W P Arbuthnot| OR: 102| CD

Gave the impression that there was a better performance in him on his second start in handicap hurdles (off 2lb more). Lightly-raced over hurdles since then with question marks over his jumping; back from a break in a jumpers bumper last time.

Form: 4444-27

Cassivellaunus⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: William Clarke⁽⁷⁾| T: D Steele| OR: 98| C

Sprang a big surprise having shown very little before to score on his second handicap start over hurdles over C&D. That form looked weak at the time but there were two next time out scorers behind but still remains to see if he can back that run up.

Form: 9-00971

Royal Hall³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 95

Shown very little in four hurdle starts for this yard (two in handicaps) and has continued to struggle on the Flat since those jumping runs. Now given another chance hurdling off a much reduced mark (10lb less than last try); worth a market watch.

Form: 25577-

King Cnut⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 100

His previous hurdles runs had always suggested that he would be better in handicaps but well beaten on his first try in that sphere off a stiff mark. Quickly dropped 10lb and now in an easier grade for a yard that have been going well.

Form: 006349

Goldslinger²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J E Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 94

His Flat form had always suggested that he would have potential in handicaps over hurdles but he's yet to realise that promise. Went with little zip or élan last time in testing conditions and dropped a further 6lb; tempting if there was some spark.

Form: 38/55-P5

Civitesses^p1,h1²²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: B Barr| OR: 74

Has on a couple of occasions looked to show some ability in handicaps but on much better ground than she will face here. Lightly-raced of late though with some developing jumping problems and makes limited appeal under testing conditions.

Form: 3546-78

Non-Runners

Geni Johnson²⁵

Weight: 11-5| Age: 6

T: Alexandra Dunn J: R P McLernon

Forecasts

Welluptoscratch (2/1), Cassivellaunus (9/4), Goldslinger (6/1), King Cnut (7/1), Royal Hall (8/1), Geni Johnson (12/1), Civitesses (20/1)

No clear cut candidates based on the form the contenders have shown so far with Cassivellaunus given a decent chance of following up his C&D win with just a 4lb rise in the weights to cope with having proven himself in the conditions. Welluptoscratch may be capable of better but will need to jump better while the Gary Moore pair Royal Hall and Goldslinger are worth watching in the market the latter in particular well weighted on his Flat form. Perhaps KING CNUT offers the most having always looked to be brought along with handicaps in mind he’s quickly dropped to a more acceptable mark and although well beaten last time eventually he did travel well for a large part of the contest.