2-2 since going hurdling, having won twice at Bangor, the second under a penalty. That now doubles as a result and despite this step up in trip (he is a point-to-point winner) looking positive, a hat-trick looks a tough ask.
Won a Catterick maiden hurdle with authority (2m3f, good to soft) in December and improved on that under a penalty in a Newcastle novices' hurdle. It would be no surprise to see him defy that penalty this time, back over slightly shorter.
Drew clear to win by 9L here over C&D last month for the late Ken Slack. That was her fourth start. Should find this field and a penalty makes it significantly tougher to follow up, but clearly can't rule that out.
Well held in three Irish bumpers. Dam a half-sister to a 2m3f hurdle winner, so there is hope for the future, but others readily preferred on this, his hurdles debut.
Was a 1m4f AW Flat winner in 2017 for Roger Charlton. Has shown little so far in two starts for this yard, including on hurdles debut at Doncaster last week. Can only watch.
Won a Sheriff Hutton point-to-point last month and cost £18,000 shortly after. No immediate dividends when 25-1 and not jumping fluently on recent hurdles debut here, being beaten 50L. Readily taken on again this time.
Forecasts
Arthur Mac (4/11), Shantaluze (11/4), Legalized (10/1), Petitioner (50/1), Tour De Pub (80/1), Thats Digby (125/1), Mahler Supreme (200/1)
Shantaluze is much respected given his back-to-back wins and the fact that this longer trip should suit him, but a double penalty on his back may well open the door to a second hurdles win for ARTHUR MAC, who is himself penalised. He may have enough within to defy that, with 7lb taken off his back by his claimer. Legalized looks next best.