Breeders Cup Exclusive To Attheraces Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 6m 49.9s

Same Circus¹⁵⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 120

5/2

Fortunate to win handicap chase at Catterick in February, but showed grit to follow up off same mark at Bangor. No impact since, albeit unable to dominate over hurdles last time, and not quite the same force over smaller obstacles.

Form: 34114-5

Western Sunrise²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-6| J: Tom Cannon| T: J Farrelly| OR: 114

7/2

Travelled wwell when winning 3m2f handicap hurdle at Newton Abbot on penultimate start, and similar form when second of 13 to Miss Mash in 2m5f mares event there last time. Will appreciate return to this sort of trip, and holds leading claims.

Form: 222F12

Tickenwolf^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Joe Colliver| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 112

15/2

Not at best since winning over fences at Hexham in June, but handicapper has given him a chance, and he wasn't discredited when third of 5 to Rivabodiva in a 2m7f handicap hurdle there last time. Needs to build on that here.

Form: 716463

More Than Luck^p,t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: David England| T: O Murphy| OR: 110

5/1

Won off a 10lb lower mark at Fontwell (3m2f) in August, and had wind surgery before a creditable second over fences at Plumpton in September. Stays well, and likely to play a big part at this marathon trip.

Form: 5-9P612

Nemean Lion^p,t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: A Nicol| T: P A Kirby| OR: 100| C

2/1

Won on hurdles debut here before a fortunate victory over 3m at Southwell. Mixed bag since, but looked the winner until taking a last-fence fall here in August, and claims if avoiding mistakes here.

Form: 3P5F55

Forecasts

Nemean Lion (2/1), Same Circus (5/2), Western Sunrise (7/2), More Than Luck (5/1), Tickenwolf (15/2)

MORE THAN LUCK is a dour stayer and will appreciate this test after finishing second over fences on his first start after wind surgery. Western Sunrise is in good form, and should prove the main danger, although Nemean Lion is capable of going close if jumping with more fluency, and he tends to go well here.