Guide Dogs Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 20:50 | Winning time: 3m 48.95s

Miss Spent^t²⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 119

11/2

In fair form including a close third in a Listed event at Kempton back in the Autumn. Returns here on the back of a eight month break and should be capable of going close off this sort of mark.

Form: 124P35-

G For Ginger^t⁷^{(ex 7)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Rex Dingle⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 110| CD

11/10

Wind operation seemed to work the trick as she won with something to spare at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last week. Goes again under the penalty here and every reason to believe this C&D winner will go well again.

Form: 5/2158-1

Dexcite¹⁸⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 113| BF| D

4/1

Has clearly had a few issues as he's been very lightly raced in recent years. Sent off favourite when last seen in January. Jumping mistakes crept in there and whilst he is attractively handicapped, the worry is he'll need this.

Form: 2116/49-

Mercian King¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 112| CD

13/2

Won over this trip and at this track. Unable to convert a couple of decent chances over fences of late and reverts to hurdles off a lower mark. Needs to do more but not discounted.

Form: 3F3-223

Blazon^t1⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 107| BF| DWS

9/1

Has started favourite on each of his last three starts but has failed to trouble the judge. Has had a short break, wind operation and the tongue-tie is added. Better expected at some stage and dangerous.

Form: 0244-P0

Vif Argent^t⁷⁶⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts| OR: 96| C

40/1

Really struggling in handicaps when last seen well over two years ago. Starts life for a new yard today but will need to be cherry ripe to be considered after such a lay-off and only worthy of consideration should the market scream his name.

Form: 90FP98/

Forecasts

G For Ginger (11/10), Dexcite (4/1), Miss Spent (11/2), Mercian King (13/2), Blazon (9/1), Vif Argent (40/1)

Miss Spent returns from a break and should be able of winning of her current mark so is respected. Blazon keeps getting backed but keeps disappointing. The wind operation and tongue-tie should help and another market move would be key. It's hard to oppose G FOR GINGER who won so well last time and could be difficult to stop once again.