Graeme Todd And Friends Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 12:46 | Winning time: 6m 37.60s

Jack Devine^v⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 130WS

11/4

Winner of two back-to-back handicap hurdles in June after undergoing some wind surgery and given a stiff rise in the handicap (16lb) for the second victory. Has failed to cope with the higher mark twice and returns having had a further wind op.

Form: 24-1166

Too Many Chiefs²¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Finian O'Toole⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S A Watt| OR: 125| C

12/1

Well suited by running at Ayr last year winning three handicaps there over 3m and ever increasing handicap mark. Ran poorly after an absence when last seen (forced into a higher grade) and now returns from another break off a tough mark.

Form: 214118-

Fly Vinnie³¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 125WS

20/1

All his three wins have come at Musselburgh (likes to front run) and scored his most recent success there on his stable debut (benefitted from a lower mark). Well held in two starts since then and now returns after a break and wind surgery.

Form: 00/P198-

Sweet Holly²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: Ruth Jefferson| OR: 117| C

7/1

A three-time winner including here over a shorter trip in 2017she's not quite recaptured that form since. Looked to be struggling when unseating her rider at Market Rasen last month returning from wind surgery; handicapper looks in charge.

Form: 11F-32U

Landecker¹⁷⁸

9/2

Five-time course winner (two over C&D); never looks an easy ride (yet to win elsewhere). Four starts since his last win have all produced moody displays and he return from a break plus a wind op; today's rider has ridden him to four of five wins.

Form: 615P8-9

Craig Star²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 114| C

11/4

Dual course winner (both over shorter) who has struggled since winning the last of those events although there was a glimmer of hope last time at Carlisle off a 2lb higher mark. Back below his last winning mark with hopes pinned on this trip helping.

Form: 16U-958

Buckled¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Rachel McDonald⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Thomson| OR: 111| C

5/1

Front-runner who won here over shorter over a year ago and followed up at Musselburgh off a 7lb higher mark. Not really at his best since then although his mark is falling but from a yard that hasn't quite caught fire yet this season.

Form: 6-66795

Forecasts

Jack Devine (11/4), Craig Star (11/4), Landecker (9/2), Buckled (5/1), Sweet Holly (7/1), Too Many Chiefs (12/1), Fly Vinnie (20/1)

Not an easy race to get a handle on with three of the field returning from wind surgery and a few others looking poorly handicapped from stables that have yet to get rolling. Jack Devine fits into all of those categories and a second wind operation in a few months suggests caution may be advised. A few like to go from the front so we should get a well run contest at least with Too Many Chiefs, Fly Vinnie and Buckled all likely to push the pace with none of them looking that well in at the weights. Course specialist Landecker is a hard one to love despite his form here (gets on well with Lucy Alexander); may run into a place. CRAIG STAR may benefit from this trip and an ease in the weights.