Stuart Stanley Retro Rebel Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:32 | Winning time: 6m 27.1s

Forthefunofit^p²⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 128

6/1

Back-to-back wins early last year seem a distant memory now. Best effort so far this year when dropped to this grade over fences last time but needs to do better off this higher hurdles mark. Longer trip looks a good shout.

Form: 115/9-52

Lillian¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Kevin Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 122| CD

5/1

likes to come off a strong pace and should be cherry ripe after a couple of runs this year. Has ground to make up with Mr Maffia, but possible he could do so now.

Form: 1136-95

Kentford Heiress¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Daniel Sansom⁽⁵⁾| T: J W Mullins| OR: 122| D

9/1

Found her form in a big way, winning back-to-back handicaps at Uttoxeter and Southwell before finding this mark a little tougher behind MR Maffia last time. Has sound claims of reversing that form on 9lb better terms with that rival.

Form: 24-5114

Second Time Around³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 118| BF

3/1

Steadily improving over hurdles and shaped again last time like this step up in trip could really help. Should do better still and will be a leading contender with any improvement.

Form: 4675-42

Mr Mafia¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Harry Stock⁽⁵⁾| T: M Keighley| OR: 116| C| D

2/1

Moving to this yard has been the making of him having won his last four including beating several of these last time at Newton Abbot. Life will be tougher off this 9lb higher mark but very much respected all the same.

Form: 45-1111

Bright Tomorrow^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 112

12/1

Interesting that Richard Johnson keeps the faith for a third straight run having been soundly beaten the last twice. Clearly felt capable of better but needs plenty more.

Form: 28U-272

The Drone⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 112| C

20/1

Returned to racing under rules when winning a weak three-runner novice event here in May. Opening mark not overly generous and market may be best guide to expectations.

Form: 313/P1-1

Forecasts

Mr Mafia (2/1), Second Time Around (3/1), Lillian (5/1), Forthefunofit (6/1), Kentford Heiress (9/1), Bright Tomorrow (12/1), The Drone (20/1)

Mr Maffia is in the form of his life having won his last four and is very much respected despite his hike in the weights. Kentford Heiress has strong claims of turning the form around with that rival on these better terms and should be in the mix. Preference is for SECOND TIME AROUND who has improved steadily over hurdles and shapes like this trip will really suit.