Best Odds Guaranteed At 188Bet Handicap

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 2m 52.81s

(4)

Hope Is High²²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: John Berry| OR: 77

9/1

Rounded off last season with three wins on going ranging from good to firm to good to soft. On a mark 18lb higher than for the first of those successes and has to overcome an absence, but warrants maximum respect nevertheless.

Form: 232111-

(5)

Astute Boy^t1²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: J P Spencer| T: H Fry| OR: 77| BF

10/11

Winner of one of his five starts when trained by Ed Vaughan and now on an 8lb higher mark. First run for predominantly jumps stable, but is lightly raced and is open to improvement. Tongue tie fitted on seasonal reappearance.

Form: 8/22125-

(3)

Cape Banjo^p1²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Fran Berry| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 73| BF| D

20/1

Won over this trip at Wolverhampton in March and ran respectably off 6lb higher next time. Runs off the same mark on his return to turf on which he is 0-11. Wears cheekpieces for the first time and represents last year's winning stable.

Form: 77-0615

(6)

Bombero¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Shepherd| T: E De Giles| OR: 67| BF

9/2

Landed a handicap at Nottingham last summer and has run with credit off higher marks since, including when second of 10 at Windsor last month. Entitled to go well off 1lb higher and tries this longer trip for the first time.

Form: 719-242

(2)

Incredible Dream^p⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Jack Duern⁽³⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 67| CD

7/2

Clear-cut winner over C&D in September, but has not been able to replicate that effort off higher ratings. Should strip fitter for his return to action at Doncaster in March.

Form: 23150-6

(1)

Tyrolean¹⁸⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: F Norton| T: D Burchell| OR: 63

16/1

Still looking for his first success after seven runs on the Flat and an outing over hurdles. First run for this yard and seasonal reappearance, so the betting market is likely to reflect his chance.

Form: 067230-

Forecasts

Astute Boy (10/11), Incredible Dream (7/2), Bombero (9/2), Hope Is High (9/1), Tyrolean (16/1), Cape Banjo (20/1)

Top-weight Hope Is High ended last season in top form and is much respected on her return to action, but she is on a stiff mark so the vote goes to ASTUTE BOY, who is open to improvement and can make a successful start for his new stable. Bombero can get involved over this longer trip, while Cape Banjo could improve for first-time cheekpieces and Incredible Dream should be fitter this time.