Heming Group Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:15 | Winning time: 5m 45.1s

Masterofdeception^h,t⁴⁵²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Hammond⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120

7/1

Lightly raced in recent seasons and has clearly had his issues, but was a fair handicap hurdler when fit, winning at Aintree in May 2015. Not seen since his chasing debut here in 2017, but on his last winning mark and 2-3 in this class.

Form: 24013/2-

Timeforben^p⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 116| CD

11/4

Progressive hurdler who continues to climb the handicap ratings. Unlikely she will get the strong pace she needs and others appear better weighted.

Form: 601-412

Ruaraidh Hugh^v²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Henry Brooke| T: Julia Brooke| OR: 114| C| D

8/1

2-2 here with both victories coming in weaker races than this. Well beaten before coming down latest and others look more convincing.

Form: 00-511F

Wicked Spice^p¹⁰⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: R D Day⁽³⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 113

14/1

Undoubtedly well-handicapped on his best form and he has a good record in this grade. Remains hard to fancy having been pulled up on last two outings.

Form: 551/5P-P

Vivant³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: R Johnson| T: T Lacey| OR: 113| C

7/2

Scored here in June over 2m4f and faced a stiff task on next start. Had a wind operation soon after and the muddling pace would not have helped at Uttoxeter. Hard to argue she is well-handicapped but she represents a top rider/trainer combination.

Form: P/0P-133

Burrows Lane^p,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 108

5/1

Has not taken to chasing and reverts to hurdles on a career low mark. Would not want conditions to soften but has to be considered otherwise.

Form: 53-F437

Innoko^v¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: C Gethings| T: R Stephens| OR: 106

6/1

Eight-year-old who is 12lb above his last winning mark over hurdles and requires a career best to win this. Fit from a run at Wolverhampton 19 days ago.

Form: 37827/2

Forecasts

Timeforben (11/4), Vivant (7/2), Burrows Lane (5/1), Innoko (6/1), Masterofdeception (7/1), Ruaraidh Hugh (8/1), Wicked Spice (14/1)

Masterofdeception has the tools to win this on his reappearance and the market should be informative. In the absence of that clue the vote goes to BURROWS LANE who has slipped to a career low mark and has gone well here in the past. Timeforben looks the most progressive of these and arrives in good form, although the absence of an obvious pacemaker means she may not get the race run to suit.