Bass Tyre Services Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 3m 59.30s

Cosmeapolitan¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: S Bowen| T: A King| OR: 126

9/4

Classy flat performer won first hurdle start in facile fashion back in 2016. Only run once since over obstacles in a warmer Newbury contest but remained in good form on the level and given his 91 flat rating he should be competitive off this mark.

Form: 1/7-

Mister Universum^t⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: William Marshall⁽¹⁰⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 126| D

5/1

Three-time summer jumps winner, the latest of which back in May at Warwick. Not at his best the last three times but that has seen his handicap slide back to just 1lb higher than Warwick. Not ruled out but better needed.

Form: 152604

Harefield²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-11| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 125

5/1

Warwick winner last season fell twice in his subsequent three starts. Started this season when pulled-up two out in his first handicap at Sandown although heavy ground surely a contributing factor. Looks yard second string to Cosmeapolitan.

Form: 41F2F-P

Haafapiece²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 122

11/4

Worcester winner in July has managed a couple of thirds since and looked likely to go one better until falling at the last time out at Sandown. Hopefully no ill effects from that but others more compelling.

Form: 4-P313F

Chieftain's Choice^b³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: Sam Coltherd⁽⁵⁾| T: K Frost| OR: 115| D

9/2

Far from prolific but gained fourth career success when winning at Stratford in August. Placed next twice before latest midfield in a stronger Cheltenham contest. Consistent enough but vulnerable to less exposed types.

Form: 731237

Shine Baby Shine¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-12| J: Jamie Hamilton| T: P A Kirby| OR: 112

40/1

Catterick novice hurdle winner failed to get competitive the next twice when sent handicapping and pulled-up first time out this season at Wetherby off same mark as today. Plenty to prove at present.

Form: 32174-P

Non-Runners

Shiroccan Roll²¹

Weight: 11-8| Age: 4

T: Miss E C Lavelle J: Sam Twiston-Davies

Furiously Fast¹⁸

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: D Burchell J: R T Dunne

Forecasts

Cosmeapolitan (9/4), Shiroccan Roll (9/4), Haafapiece (11/4), Chieftain's Choice (9/2), Mister Universum (5/1), Harefield (5/1), Furiously Fast (10/1), Shine Baby Shine (40/1)

It could pay to side with handicap newcomer SHIROCCAN ROLL for Emma Lavelle here. This four-year-old made a winning start over hurdles and ran with merit the next twice also so he clearly has plenty of ability and in honesty has been found a fairly ordinary contest to start out here. The most feared rival is unexposed hurdler Cosmeapolitan who is a smart performer on the flat. Best of the rest is now well handicapped Mister Universum although Dan Skelton's charge hasn't been at his best of late.