Charles Stanley Direct Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 3m 43.10s

Canoodle^b,h¹²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: H Morrison| OR: 120| D

15/2

Relatively light raced over hurdles but gained second success last time out when getting on top late on at Kempton. Had a break since and 5lb higher now but looks the sort who could be improving now at a relatively late stage.

Form: 1/6352-1

Winner Massagot^t²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N D Fehily| T: D Skelton| OR: 115| D

5/4

Once highly thought of by Alan King he left a run of poor form behind at the weekend when absolutely bolting up by 26L over fences at Fontwell. Runs here before reassessment and if in the same vein of form he could be seriously well treated.

Form: P/67761

Dr Dunraven^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: M Keighley| OR: 110| BF| CD

9/1

Dual winner over fences including here and travelled like a winner last time over hurdles here before fading and seeming to not stay the 2m4f trip. 5lb higher this time but trip much more to his liking so has to be respected.

Form: 3-31135

Red Hot Chilly⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 110| CD

11/4

One from 26 record uninspiring but that win was a C&D hurdle in July. Not beaten far the last twice at Market Rasen (fifth) and Stratford (third) but off the same mark again here so bit more more needed.

Form: 0-42153

Delirious Love^h,t⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: R Johnson| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 108WS

25/1

Well-bred, unexposed sort has had just the six starts so far, four over hurdles. Well-beaten third at Southwell latest did represent his bets run to date and had a wind-op since so maybe more to come especially with the champion jockey onboard.

Form: 06-U343

Solstalla^p⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: David Bass| T: D Weston| OR: 102| CD

7/1

Two hurdle wins came back to back in September 2016 over C&D and at Newton Abbot. Placed four times off higher marks last season including three times here. Yet to hit form in two starts this season but well-treated when she does.

Form: 4354-55

Milan Of Crystal^t⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dave Roberts| OR: 101| CD

20/1

Twice a winner here including over C&D three starts back. Below par here next before a better effort latest when third albeit she was well beaten. Current mark probably stretches her to her limits.

Form: 3-67183

Forecasts

Winner Massagot (5/4), Red Hot Chilly (11/4), Solstalla (7/1), Canoodle (15/2), Dr Dunraven (9/1), Milan Of Crystal (20/1), Delirious Love (25/1)

Dan Skelton may have found the key to the talented WINNER MASSAGOT with the first-time tongue-tie seeing him hack-up at the weekend over fences. He will no doubt be given a huge penalty for that success so running here off an unchanged hurdles mark he will surely be very hard to beat. Dr Dunraven hasn't won over hurdles but travelled like a winner last time over the smaller obstacles before not getting home. This trip will suit better so he merits respect. Unexposed Delirious Love is likely to have his best days ahead and has several positives today.