insurance4carhire.com Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:56 | Winning time: 3m 42.3s

Snapdragon Fire⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R T Dunne| T: T Lacey| OR: 133

11/4

Gutsy performer who has progressed well this term. A 5lb rise for his C&D second sets him a tough test, but his trainer is capable of unlocking plenty of improvement from his charges.

Form: 24-1P12

Highest Sun³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-10| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 131| D

15/8

Expensive French import who has taken a keen hold on both starts in this country. Has shaped as though he has plenty of ability but he needs to settle before that potential is realised.

Form: 1-34

Casa Tall²⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 130

16/1

Wore a hood to register two decisive victories in France on differing ground. Looked keen on last start in April when weakening in the closing stages having gone clear two out. Fairly weighted if he has learned to settle without the headgear.

Form: 631104-

Higgs³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: David Bass| T: S-J Davies| OR: 126

14/1

Dual novice hurdle winner over 2m1f at Newton Abbot in the spring. Promising 10L second over an extended 2m3f at Doncaster (good-to-firm) on handicap debut, but needs to recover from a poor run last time.

Form: 21-1427

Mick Maestro⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: A King| OR: 120

8/1

Produced a career best on stable debut in October before his jumping let him down last time. Mark probably high enough for now.

Form: 0-13424

The Twisler^p⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: T Scudamore| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 116

6/1

Consistent handicapper suited to a sound surface. Produced a bit more with cheekpieces refitted last time and weighted to go close again.

Form: 631682

Peterborough⁵³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 113

6/1

Finished 21L behind Higgs in May, but left all previous form behind when landing a weak race at Exeter in November. A 6lb rise seems fair in light of the improvement, but the form has looked suspect.

Form: 1/8-3201

Forecasts

Highest Sun (15/8), Snapdragon Fire (11/4), The Twisler (6/1), Peterborough (6/1), Mick Maestro (8/1), Higgs (14/1), Casa Tall (16/1)

Highest Sun and Casa Tall are French imports who will improve on the form they have shown this side of the Channel once they learn to settle. The Twisler usually gives his running and he is weighted to be in the mix, but Peterborough needs to take another giant step forward to defy a rise in the weights in much stronger company. SNAPDRAGON FIRE looks a more reliable proposition given his rate of progress this season and his trainer's knack of getting the best from his horses.