Welcome Back Sean Dooner Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 40.55s

Sleep Easy⁹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 134WS

10/1

Lightly-raced over hurdles since winning off a 4lb lower mark (March, 2017); looks relatively well treated still in this sphere. Beaten favourite when last seen but that was on the AW (Fibresand) and returns from wind surgery here; market to guide.

Form: 616/833-

Mister Fizz^p¹⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: A M Hales| OR: 131| C

10/11

19lb below his last winning mark when returning to his best on stable debut at Southwell (first win since 2015); that did look a rather weak contest though. Upped 10lb for that win he ought to be able to cope with his revised mark in deeper company.

Form: 0373-71

Ballinure^p³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 126| C| D

4/1

C&D winner who has his second run after returning from wind surgery returned to hurdles having disappointed over fences last time. He's never been the most consistent though and probably needs a stiffer test of stamina that this will provide.

Form: P198-14

Jalingo^p,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: A Stronge| OR: 122

40/1

Fairly useful on the Flat when with Mark Johnston and over hurdles with John Ferguson he's shown very little for this yard on the Flat. Has had some wind surgery (fared no better for it) and now tried over hurdles again; looks a declining force.

Form: 222122/

Instant Karma^p1,t²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: S Bowen| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 109| CD

6/1

Rare hurdles runner/winner for his former stable (Michael Bell) he's looked rather out of sorts since joining this yard. Has hinted at a revival of late (trip too far last time) and will look very well handicapped if he does find his form.

Form: 69-7660

Nabhan^p,t²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 107

5/1

Gradually working his way back to form having been given a chance by the handicapper (last three runs here). Looks suited by this headgear combination although this company will test him more than his last three races; place chance at best.

Form: 68-72U3

Non-Runners

Red Tornado¹⁵

Weight: 11-11| Age: 6

T: D Skelton J: Harry Skelton

Forecasts

Mister Fizz (10/11), Red Tornado (7/4), Ballinure (4/1), Nabhan (5/1), Instant Karma (6/1), Sleep Easy (10/1), Jalingo (40/1)

It’s proved folly to ignore the Skelton yard of late and although RED TORNADO is upped 7lb and in a deeper race than when winning his first race for a couple of years last time he does look to have a good chance of following up here. Mister Fizz is a similar type having taken advantage of a much reduced mark for his first win for three years last time but this looks a stronger gig than last time in which to try and follow-up and he’s up 10lb. Both Sleep Easy and Balinure ought to capable of winning something like this but don’t really convince with the most interesting runner Instant Karma who has fallen to very hospitable mark if he can find a little more form over a trip that should suit.