Subaru Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 4m 47.10s

Colonial Dreams⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132| D

13/8

Runner-up in a Grade 3 handicap at Ascot over similar distance last month on second start of the season, repeat of that effort should see him in the firing line here and perhaps book ticket to bigger things.

Form: F11-262

Thistle Do Nicely⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: T J O'Brien| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 132

5/1

Has faced stiff tasks since pair of good ground novice wins in the autumn and should be happier now handicapping. Stamina to prove on first attempt beyond 2m, though retains Grade 1 entries at spring festivals.

Form: 18-1142

Esprit De Somoza⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Lizzie Kelly⁽³⁾| T: Nick Williams| OR: 128

6/1

Not yet reached the level that was expected over hurdles after winning 2m Huntingdon novice contest in January 2018 on soft. Some promise at Lingfield in November when tackling this sort of trip, cannot be ruled out completely.

Form: 120-654

Embole^t⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 124

16/1

Front-runner for whom things haven't gone to place since winning Wincanton novice hurdle (2m, soft) a year ago. Last month's Huntingdon chase run was a first outing at 2m4f, though jumping wasn't good enough to test stamina. Market check needed.

Form: 103-425

Red Mix⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: N D Fehily| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 123

9/4

French winner, better effort switched to hurdles at Ludlow (2m, good) eight days ago when just failing to see things out from the front end. Due to go up 3lb after this and longer trip suits. Worth considering.

Form: F5-23P2

Here's Herbie^t³⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-10| J: Lucy Gardner⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 116| CD

10/1

Registered a fifth hurdles victory when scoring over C&D in December, with three of those wins coming over track and trip. Not as good since at Huntingdon but dangerous to overlook back at this venue.

Form: 36U814

Forecasts

Colonial Dreams (13/8), Red Mix (9/4), Thistle Do Nicely (5/1), Esprit De Somoza (6/1), Here's Herbie (10/1), Embole (16/1)

Having caught the eye in a graded handicap at Ascot last time (second) COLONIAL DREAMS looks to hold sound claims of going one better now for the champion trainer. He's dropping in grade and, with entries in a pair of handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival, needs to take this prize to potentially book himself a trip to the Cotswolds. Handicap debutant Thistle Do Nicely is well worth a look going up in distance while Red Mix is on a good mark following his recent effort at Ludlow. Here's Herbie loves it around here and should outrun his forecast odds.