Masterson Holdings Hurdle

Off time: 14:36 | Winning time: 3m 53.5s

Redicean¹⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Wayne Hutchinson| T: A King| OR: 149| D

10/3

Impressive winner of first three hurdle races, all at Kempton culminating in Grade Two Adonis. Only 7/1 for the Triumph but disappointed there and almost certain that not his true level. Carries a penalty but is high class and can overcome it.

Form: 1116-

Esprit De Somoza⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Lizzie Kelly| T: Mrs J Williams| OR: 130| D

33/1

Won one of his five starts when beating Gumball at Huntingdon in his second start and looked promising at that stage. Second at Taunton next but tailed off in Fred Winter here before recent sixth of seven in France. More needed overall.

Form: 5120-6

Eragon De Chanay²¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 131| BF| D

16/1

Dual winner for this yard but came up short in Graded events including Fred Winter at Cheltenham (seventh). Subsequent second in an Ascot handicap was a decent effort and that looks where his future lies.

Form: 134172-

Gumball¹⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 148| D

1/1

Front-runner was progressive last season winning three times. Pulled-up at Cheltenham but bounced back with Grade One second at Aintree and facile Ludlow win at long odds-on. Top-rated and gets weight off main rival so big player here.

Form: 122P21-

Padleyourowncanoe¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 135

7/1

Dual soft ground winner was ahead of a couple of these when Fourth in the Fred Winter here but a long way behind runner up Gumball next at Aintree when ninth. Good return at Chepstow when second but plenty to find here.

Form: 11249-2

Pearl Of The West^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: S Bowen| T: J C McConnell| OR: 130

5/1

Won three of her six hurdle races at Carlisle and Bellewstown (twice). Appreciates good ground and gets the fillies allowance but big step up needed here.

Form: 41-1214

Forecasts

Gumball (1/1), Redicean (10/3), Pearl Of The West (5/1), Padleyourowncanoe (7/1), Eragon De Chanay (16/1), Esprit De Somoza (33/1)

This looks a bit of a match and preference is for the less exposed REDICEAN who was well fancied for the Triumph after winning the Adonis impressively. He didn't run his race that day but can show his class here despite carrying a penalty. Gumball usually sets a fearsome pace and will likely do the same so there will be no hiding place and the 8lb he gets from Redicean gives him a real chance. The others have it all to do but Padleyourowncanoe makes the most appeal.