RaceBets Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 7m 7.30s

Niceandeasy^p1²²

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁷⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 117| BF

11/4

Winner of his first three career starts has struggled since. Didn't seem to stay 3m1½f in only previous completion over such a trip last term. Looked like a stayer this season so worth another go but this a real marathon test.

Form: U25-434

Pat's Oscar^p²⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: R Johnson| T: G Elliott| OR: 116

7/2

Winner from 2m-2m4f over hurdles showed little in two previous tries beyond 2m4f and indeed most of her racing comes over 2m. Out of sorts of late so plenty of cause for concern even given trainer's 100% course record at start of the day.

Form: 6186-80

Perfect Pirate^b²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: C Brace⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 115

4/1

2m4f chase and 2m5f hurdle winner showed he can handle such a test latest when fourth under front-running tactics over 3m2f at Warwick. Certainly one of the more likely sorts stamina wise and more patient tactics could see him go close.

Form: 840-0P4

Quick Pick²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 115| BF| C

5/1

Dual course winner over 2m4f and best form generally here so latest third over 3m2f at Warwick (Perfect Pirate fourth) a very positive effort. This C&D likely to suit at least as well so expect a bold bid.

Form: 930-P43

Katy Royal²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: C W Fairhurst| OR: 110

15/2

2m7½f Hexham winner in May has looked ready for such a marathon test on several occasions including in recent thirds at Aintree 3m½f and Kelso 2m6½f last time out. This trip set to be right up her street so cause for optimism here.

Form: 123F63

Drill Baby Drill^t1⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: C Gethings| T: T R George| OR: 108

7/1

Staying on third in last of three novice races at Southwell suggested a potential stayer in the making. Disappointing handicap bow at Uttoxeter tempered enthusiasm but still interesting with tongue-tie perhaps solving latest weakening.

Form: 24-37

Broadway Belle³²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-3| J: D B Hurst⁽¹⁰⁾| T: C Grant| OR: 92| CD

20/1

33L C&D winner last May has since won over 2m7½f at Hexham. Yet to quite hit the heights this term in three starts including a fourth back over C&D but handicap again on the slide and back over this trip she has to be respected.

Form: 6-31487

Forecasts

Niceandeasy (11/4), Pat's Oscar (7/2), Perfect Pirate (4/1), Quick Pick (5/1), Drill Baby Drill (7/1), Katy Royal (15/2), Broadway Belle (20/1)

KATY ROYAL has developed into a useful staying handicapper but never faced such a test as this although often looked likely to relish one. Her first try over the trip can bare fruit under top course jockey Brian Hughes. Quick Pick ran well when third last time out in a similarly stamina sapping contest at Warwick so is also respected as is previous C&D scorer Broadway Belle who will capitalise on any chinks in her rivals armour stamina-wise.