Heineken UK Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 4m 4.10s

Centurius¹⁰³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 117| D

7/2

Didn't take to fencing on sole start this season Huntingdon (2m4f, soft) in January. Yard in decent form right now and just 2lb above previous winning mark over timber. Has a chance.

Form: 62154-7

Monfass^h¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 116

5/1

Winner at Carlisle (2m1f, soft) in December off a mark of 107, has shown in four runs since that this mark isn't beyond him and can bounce back here after being held in higher grade at Kelso earlier this month.

Form: 813335

Think Ahead^p³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Henry Brooke| T: James Moffatt| OR: 116

4/1

Was rated 105 on the Flat in his prime and this current hurdling mark could let him in lightly. Landed a gamble in style at Cartmel in July and he will be better for last month's return to action.

Form: P-12

Cougar Kid^p⁶⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 114| D

8/1

Enjoying a productive season with three wins, including two starts ago at Hereford. On a stiff mark at the moment, however, despite the drop in trip potentially suiting after poor run at Wincanton in February.

Form: 113514

Elmono⁵⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 110

16/1

Showed promise in France back in 2015 but had lost his way there the following year before a poor effort at Limerick (2m, heavy) on final start for previous handler. Long absence to overcome starting out for new trainer and treated with caution.

Form: 0/000P0-

Morning With Ivan^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Thomas Dowson⁽³⁾| T: S Corbett| OR: 108| D

2/1

Mare has thrived for new yard this season, winning three from five starts including last time out at Musselburgh (2m½f, soft) with seemingly a bit in hand. Up another 8lb in the ratings for that score but likely to be bang there again.

Form: 1-11231

Forecasts

Morning With Ivan (2/1), Centurius (7/2), Think Ahead (4/1), Monfass (5/1), Cougar Kid (8/1), Elmono (16/1)

Think Ahead was a good winner of a Cartmel maiden hurdle last summer and showed enough at Haydock last month on sole start since to suggest he's going to be a threat now targeting a handicap. He'll need to be on his game however to lower the colours of the thriving mare MORNING WITH IVAN who had plenty in hand when scoring at Musselburgh last month, her third win in five starts for this handler, and isn't certain to be halted under her latest ratings hike. Monfass is capable of getting back on track eased in grade after a poor effort at Kelso this month.