Visit The All New RacingUK.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:10 | Winning time: 6m 27.2s

Bassarabad^t,v³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-13| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 111

4/1

Stepped up on return from a break when finishing 8L second at Uttoxeter (3m, soft) a month ago. Races off a 5lb lower mark on his return to hurdling.

Form: 41P-302

Gamain^b¹⁹²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-13| J: Chester Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 111| D

7/1

Victorious over 3m1f on heavy ground at Wincanton in February. Raised 4lb for that success and would appreciate any overnight rain on his return to hurdling.

Form: 335321-

Dreamsoftheatre^p³⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Alain Cawley| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 110| C

10/1

Winner of a good-to-firm ground handicap hurdle over an extended 3m1f at Cartmel last month. Pulled up over the same C&D subsequently and needs to bounce back if he's to take this event.

Form: 0P-561P

Guerrilla Tactics^p1³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 106| BF| D

11/8

Placed on each of his last three starts over fences including when finishining a close second at Newton Abbot (good) last month. Races off a 1lb lower mark back over hurdles.

Form: 1F4-232

Flying Verse^p,t⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: David Dennis| OR: 103

4/1

Dual winner this season most recently over 3m at Southwell (good) last month. Raised 4lb for that victory and is one for the shortlist once more.

Form: 56-U171

Irish Thistle^p¹³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁷⁾| T: D L Williams| OR: 73

20/1

Beaten 16L into third in a 2m4f handicap chase at Worcester (good) a month ago. Struggled at Newton Abbot since and probably best watched on his return to hurdles.

Form: 6-34536

Forecasts

Guerrilla Tactics (11/8), Bassarabad (4/1), Flying Verse (4/1), Gamain (7/1), Dreamsoftheatre (10/1), Irish Thistle (20/1)

BASSARABAD ran well over fences last time out and he can defy top weight by making a winning return to the smaller obstacles in this competitive contest. The selection has the forecast underfoot conditions to suit and he can see off Gamain who would probably prefer the going softer than is forecast. Third place cn go the way of Flying Verse who remains open to improvement.