Janet & Ken Wilcox Diamond Wedding Celebration Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 3m 27.13s

Mick Thonic^t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Angus Cheleda⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 117

6/4

Hard to win with but switch back to hurdles seems to have done him some good, and he almost made every yard of the running over C&D last time out, battling on well. 3lb higher mark still leaves him attractively handicapped and must take high rank.

Form: 7-2U542

Volpone Jelois^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 114| D

6/4

Fairly consistent performer under both codes and although he's got a bit of ground to make up on Mick Thonic on their run here last time out, possible he could get closer with a more patient ride. Ground fine and not discounted.

Form: 44514-3

Cotton Club¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N R Mitchell| OR: 109| BF

11/1

Frustrating sort over hurdles, ability is there but jumping often lets him down at key moments. Reasonable effort for new yard back on the Flat at Wolverhampton latest but until jumping with more fluency over hurdles, is best watched.

Form: 32254

Borak^p⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Robert Williams⁽³⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 103

14/1

Two-time winner over hurdles in the summer but handicapper had his say after that and two efforts since then, including a last of six at Bangor last time, mean he needs to get back to his better form to hold a chance here.

Form: 3-41136

Winter Soldier^h¹⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: H Cobden| T: R Walford| OR: 103

13/2

Four runs for Willie Mullins last year were a little on the disappointing side (twice beaten favourite) but early days yet and new yard are adept at turning these sorts around. Likely to need this but of some interest all the same.

Form: 46-0

Non-Runners

Magical Thomas²³

Weight: 11-4| Age: 6

T: N P Mulholland J: N D Fehily

Forecasts

Volpone Jelois (6/4), Mick Thonic (6/4), Magical Thomas (10/3), Winter Soldier (13/2), Cotton Club (11/1), Borak (14/1)

MICK THONIC is a tricky one to catch right but he clearly acts well under these conditions and can get himself on the scoreboard at he expense of Volpone Jelois, who may well get closer to Mick Thonic this time around. Winter Soldier would be interesting if attracting a bit of market support.