Chenet Ice Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:01 | Winning time: 3m 58.90s

Solo Saxophone^t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-12| J: Bridget Andrews| T: D Skelton| OR: 117| D

9/2

Fred Winter sixth at Cheltenham in March but hasn't fired in three starts since coming back in and hard to be confident in despite sliding mark.

Form: 136-608

Antunes²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-6| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 111

1/1

Some promise shown in two spring novice runs, had a wind operation over the summer before well beaten in Cheltenham novices' handicap last month. Has to improve in the jumping department seemingly but has ability.

Form: 23-0

Freedom Chimes⁸⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Benjamin Poste| T: Mrs R Gasson| OR: 105

20/1

Ex-Irish, 18-race maiden who made the frame three times maiden hurdles in the spring but has disappointed in three starts for this handler either side of summer break. Has run well on testing going before.

Form: 33-37U6

Secret Melody⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: B S Hughes| T: S-J Davies| OR: 102

16/1

Unplaced in seven starts so far, tailed off in Cheltenham maiden hurdle in October on first start for this trainer. Lots to prove on previous handicap form.

Form: 5748-F0

Deep Resolve²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: C Gethings| T: B Leavy| OR: 98| D

14/1

Dual hurdles winner at Hexham back in the mists of time (2014) but limited to just two starts for his current yard and hard to place a lot of faith in despite declining rating.

Form: 35P/7-08

Alliteration¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Cook| T: J Hughes| OR: 112

4/1

Remote second at Wetherby (2m, good to soft) on third start over hurdles. Going the right way and makes handicap debut now. Likely needs to improve.

Form: 562

Georgian Firebird^t²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Jamie Bargary| T: B Leavy| OR: 93| D

16/1

Beat the quirky Go West Young Man in a Towcester novice (2m, soft) in February 2016, but largely all downhill since. Failed to complete in his last three starts so questions to be answered.

Form: F63P-PF

Forecasts

Antunes (1/1), Alliteration (4/1), Solo Saxophone (9/2), Deep Resolve (14/1), Georgian Firebird (16/1), Secret Melody (16/1), Freedom Chimes (20/1)

Not the strongest race and so a chance is afforded to SOLO SAXOPHONE. Dan Skelton's runner was sixth in the Fred Winter in March and twice won over this sort of trip earlier last season. He's been campaigned over further so far this term but the drop in and the soft going could bring about a change in fortune. Alliteration was second at Wetherby last time and makes his handicap hurler bow here while Antunes will have races in him over timber once he gets his jumping in order.