IEP Financial Handicap Hurdle

Events have conspired against the gelding over fences lately and it looks a logical choice to bring him back to hurdling at this point. Plenty to prove on these terms and might struggle to give weight away this time.

Lost his way since winning at Wincanton a couple of seasons ago but is now back on a handy mark. Ran well in a seller last time and not much to find if able to run to the same level. He's unpredictable, so the betting can be a useful tool.

Drops in class after facing a stiff test last time out. This ought to be more to his liking though and given that his yard won this race last year, a betting move can be seen as a big positive. Shortlisted.

Finished fourth of a well strung-out twelve here last time out, which was arguably his best effort to date. Has a bit to prove over this longer trip but still merits scrutiny in the betting. Place claims at least if he stays the trip.

Still a maiden but his last two starts have seen him marked down as an improving type. Still relatively lightly raced for one of his age but the manner in which he handled similar conditions last time bodes well. Another with solid place claims.

Might have been in need of the run last time out but most of his better form has been registered on a firmer surface than he's expected to encounter here; 4lb below his last winning mark but other more suited to the ground conditions.

C&D winner in November but faces a stiffer test in this larger field and the mare's form has nosedived lately. Others more appealing this time.

Has gone well at this course before now and ought to find the underfoot conditions to his liking. Seems to be getting the hang of things now and would be dangerous to omit from the calculations.