Polyroof Products Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:25 | Winning time: 5m 10.25s

Braavos¹⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134

10/1

Would have ben a more convincing winner on his last start over hurdles but for a mistake at the last. Has not taken to chasing, but merits consideration with the ground in his favour and stable hitting form.

Form: P-231P7

Take To Heart^p1⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130

9/2

Form hit the buffers during the winter and he has been given a break since. The fitting of cheekpieces raises questions, but on the plus side the yard have won three of the last four renewals of this contest.

Form: 8-21170

Coillte Lass^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 129| D

11/2

Has dropped down the weights this winter following some disappointing efforts. Best form has come on good ground and she could now prove dangerous if conditions remain favourable.

Form: 554628

Black Mischief^p,t⁶⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Miss A B O'Connor⁽⁷⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 126| BF

7/4

A drop in trip and the wrong tactics for the way the race developed last time cost him last time. Does not look an easy ride, but this could set up nicely for him and stable have been going well. Capable rider on board.

Form: F-15533

Star Foot^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Page Fuller⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 124

6/1

At his best on good ground and going right-handed. Undoubtedly meeting better handicapped horses here, but he has at least proven his current wellbeing

Form: 158195

Royal Irish Hussar⁶⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: David Bass| T: N J Henderson| OR: 120

5/1

Lightly raced over the past 18 months but arrives on a career low mark. Beat the likes of Guitar Pete and Fox Norton as a juvenile, but he is without a win since 2013 and has been finding little under pressure.

Form: 4244-7F

Non-Runners

Backinthesaddle¹²⁵

Weight: 10-0| Age: 10

T: D Steele J: Conor Shoemark

Forecasts

Black Mischief (7/4), Take To Heart (9/2), Royal Irish Hussar (5/1), Coillte Lass (11/2), Star Foot (6/1), Braavos (10/1), Backinthesaddle (50/1)

Nicky Henderson has won three of the last four renewals of this but his representatives this time, Take To Heart and Royal Irish Hussar arrive needing to prove they retain their enthusiasm for the game. Braavos represents a stable in form and conditions are in his favour, whilst Coilte Lass should improve for the quicker ground and a reduction in her handicap mark. BLACK MISCHIEF arrives after a break and that is probably a good time to catch him. The trip and going should be right for him and his rider is good value for her claim.