Mayfield Sussex Hop Gin Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 4m 56.45s

Brave Eagle²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: N J Henderson| OR: 134| D

9/4

Unseated in a high quality handicap hurdle at Cheltenham last time out, and this is a less competitive race. Won off 3lb lower than this three starts back and top conditional claims the difference off.

Form: 11/210U-

Whoshotwho^h²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁶⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 123| BF

9/4

Won a maiden hurdle on similar ground/trip for previous yard, and recent form for this handler suggests his turn could be near once again now back in a handicap.

Form: 282322-

Mellow Ben²³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: Harry Reed| T: C Gordon| OR: 114

3/1

A last time out winner at Fontwell and up 4lb for that victory, every chance there's further improvement to come, especially on a sounder surface, and holds strong claims.

Form: 055631-

Ding Ding⁶²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Miss S West| OR: 111| CD

15/2

Goes very well here, including two C&D successes, but recent form means she needs to improve to play a part in this.

Form: 658226-

San Pedro De Senam^b¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Teal⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 111| C

12/1

Chase winner off 11lb higher in January, but both his wins have come on heavy ground so some rain would be strongly preferable.

Form: 313U46-

Invicta Lake^p²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-1| J: Daniel Sansom| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 109| CD

20/1

The fact he has only completed one of his last five starts is an obvious concern, but he finished a fine second on the exception and that sort of form would give him a chance in this.

Form: 3FU2PU-

Forecasts

Brave Eagle (9/4), Whoshotwho (9/4), Mellow Ben (3/1), Ding Ding (15/2), San Pedro De Senam (12/1), Invicta Lake (20/1)

This can go to BRAVE EAGLE, who has an easier task here compared to the Cheltenham event he unseated in last time out, and now effectively back down to his last winning mark (when including James Bowen's claim) he should go very well here for the Champion Trainer. In a race where most have claims of one form or another, Whoshotwho and Mellow Ben should also go very well.