Racegoers' Club 50th Anniversary Conditional Jockeys' Selling Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 4m 0.9s

Excellent Result^b⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gregory| T: R Spencer| OR: 120| D

5/1

Group 2 Flat winner in Meydan who won twice as a novice over hurdles two seasons ago. Has lost his way under both codes more recently, however, and despite another 5lb drop and significant drop in grade, he has a bit to prove.

Form: 2012/5-5

Ruaraidh Hugh^v⁵¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Ross Chapman| T: Julia Brooke| OR: 111

9/4

Stays 2m7f, though both wins this season have been over 2m4f, and all his successes have been on good ground. 9lb higher than the most recent of those and, given both runs since, he looks up against it, especially over the minimum trip.

Form: 0-511F5

Collodi^p⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 111| D

1/1

Has been consistent this summer, winning one of his four starts in that period at Market Rasen (2m½f, good) in July. Just 1lb higher today, and with 3lb claimed, he looks a serious player.

Form: PP-3213

Back To Balloo⁸⁴

Age: 12| Weight: 10-6| J: Mitchell Bastyan| T: P Winks| OR: 100| CD

11/1

Veteran who showed that he can still win a race when a 2L scorer at Hexham (2m, good) in May, from 3lb lower. Also has a C&D success to his name, which is positive, but needs to be much better than on his last two starts.

Form: 92-0155

Shalamzar^p⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: R Patrick| T: P S McEntee| OR: 76| D

40/1

1-19 over hurdles, having won a similar race at Catterick in December, when 1lb lower. However, 16lb 'wrong' here, so very much up against it.

Form: 65/016P-

Cocker^p¹³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Max Kendrick| T: A Blackmore| OR: 71

40/1

Very moderate and 0-12 over hurdles. 23lb out of the handicap and impossible to fancy.

Form: 5/4P79-6

Forecasts

Collodi (1/1), Ruaraidh Hugh (9/4), Excellent Result (5/1), Back To Balloo (11/1), Cocker (40/1), Shalamzar (40/1)

A modest opener can go to COLLODI, whose consistency is key here and if he can produce another similar effort to his four runs this season, then he should be good enough. Back To Balloo has the ability, but needs to bounce right back, while Ruaraidh Hugh looks fully exposed. Excellent Result may do better now dropped in grade, but has it to prove.