Holly Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:30 | Winning time: 5m 11.20s

Weebill²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gregory⁽⁵⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 132| D

10/1

Won both a maiden and a novices' hurdle in the spring, but was unable to maintain his progress on his reappearance in Listed company at Cheltenham last month. More needed from the same mark.

Form: 3212-16

Cotswold Way³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: M G Nolan| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 127| D

1/1

Arrives seeking a hat-trick after wins at both Huntingdon (2m3½f, good) and Exeter (2m5½f, good). Handicapper has kept his mark the same for this handicap debut, and no doubting he has claims.

Form: 5372-11

Voodoo Doll^p¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 125| D

5/1

Completed a hat-trick earlier in the year. Could be competitive from this mark, but looks exposed enough already to suggest that others make greater appeal for win purposes.

Form: 382238

Hillcrest Fire²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 114| BF| C

9/2

Scored here over 1m7½f (good to soft) 13-months ago, on her hurdles debut. Produced a career-best at Market Rasen last time, when beaten just ½L over a similar trip to this. Up 4lb, so more needed, but enters calculations.

Form: 13433-2

Thahab Ifraj²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-6| J: R Johnson| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 112| D

5/1

Won in handicap company for the first time at Wincanton (2m4f, good to firm) recently, when 66-1, producing a career best. Up 3lb for that, and champion now assigned, so can't rule out a follow-up.

Form: 1-42981

Forecasts

Cotswold Way (1/1), Hillcrest Fire (9/2), Thahab Ifraj (5/1), Voodoo Doll (5/1), Weebill (10/1)

Thahab Ifraj caused a shock last time, but it wouldn't do to dismiss that lightly and with Richard Johnson now booked, he can acquit himself well in this follow-up bid. Weebill was progressive before a slightly better contest found him out last time. He will need a bit of improvement to get back to winning ways, while similar applies to Hillcrest Fire. Preference, therefore, is for COTSWOLD WAY, who arrives in decent form and could be the one on his handicap debut.