James Todd & Co Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 4m 15.50s

Mellow Ben²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 124| CD

11/4

Returning from a break when winning over 2m3f on good ground here last month. Raised 7lb for that success and is one for the shortlist once more.

Form: 631-251

Cubswin⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-11| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: N B King| OR: 123

11/2

Dual winner earlier this year including in a handicap hurdle over an extended 1m7f at Southwell (good) in June. Beaten in a match on the Flat last time and returning from a break.

Form: 202U-13

Workbench^t⁶⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 121| BF| CD

12/1

Finished runner-up in 2m4f handicap chases on each of his last two starts. Interesting to see how he fares back over hurdles.

Form: 606822

Wind Place And Sho^p³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: J M P Eustace| OR: 112| D

6/1

Decent third in a 2m3f handicap hurdle on good going here on his return to hurdles at the end of August. Races off the same mark in this contest.

Form: 4296-R3

Magical Thomas^p,t³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 107| CD

4/1

Completed a double when winning over C&D on good ground at the end of August. Raised 5lb for that victory and likely to play a leading role once more.

Form: 0-94211

Sensible Friend^t1²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-8| J: L P Aspell| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 106

11/4

Placed second in handicap hurdles on his two most recent starts. Beaten 6L by Mellow Ben on good ground over 2m3f here last time and wears a tongue tie for the first time.

Form: 84-4422

Forecasts

Sensible Friend (11/4), Mellow Ben (11/4), Magical Thomas (4/1), Cubswin (11/2), Wind Place And Sho (6/1), Workbench (12/1)

MAGICAL THOMAS won over this C&D last time out and he can complete a hat-trick by taking this small field handicap hurdle. Mellow Ben is another to have won here last time and he can claim second ahead of Workbench who is returning to hurdles following a spell chasing.