Watch Racing UK Anywhere Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:29 | Winning time: 3m 38.0s

Midnight Shadow¹⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 140| D

5/4

Career best effort when winning a competitive Grade 2 handicap hurdle at Ayr. That was a first try on good ground or better and may have plenty more to offer on a decent surface this campaign. Obvious player if ready to go on return.

Form: 222U71-

Aristo Du Plessis³¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Ewart| OR: 138| CD

8/1

Three-time course winner who arrives bidding for a belated C&D hat-trick after a pair of wins at the end of 2017. Still well-handicapped on the best of his form but entitled to need this with a longer absence than his rivals to overcome.

Form: 584P/11-

Innocent Touch¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: R Johnson| T: H D Daly| OR: 136| D

9/4

Has won three of his eight starts since joining this yard but signs the handicapper had caught up with him at Market Rasen last time. That was a deeper race than this so can't be entirely ruled out with the Champion Jockey retaining the ride.

Form: 172115

Sakhee's City^p¹⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 134| D

18/1

Made it three wins from 18 hurdles starts at Newcastle last time out but seems at his best on heavy ground and he has an absence to overcome here; others preferred.

Form: 215401-

Raven's Tower¹⁵⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 129| D

33/1

Won over hurdles at Fontwell in November 2017 but hasn't beaten a rival home in four starts since. Returns from an absence and comes with obvious risks attached.

Form: 21007-P

Beach Break^b¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 126| BF| D

11/2

Failed in his four-timer bid at Sedgefield last time, hitting a flat spot towards the end of the race. Wasn't beaten far and slight drop back in trip should help.

Form: 221113

Forecasts

Midnight Shadow (5/4), Innocent Touch (9/4), Beach Break (11/2), Aristo Du Plessis (8/1), Sakhee's City (18/1), Raven's Tower (33/1)

MIDNIGHT SHADOW could be hard to beat if he reproduces his Grade 2 winning form from last time out and he may be one to follow on good ground or better this campaign. Aristo Du Plessis has to be respected around here but he may need this run. Innocent Touch is solid enough and has place claims.