Archer Mann RNLI Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 4m 16.25s

Oxwich Bay^p1²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 12-1| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 116

9/4

Better effort back over hurdles latest and on a lenient mark if able to put a sequence together. First-time cheekpieces might help him focus. Shortlisted.

Form: 4UF3F4

On The Rox⁷⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Mitchell Bastyan⁽⁵⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 110| D

14/1

Failed to build on the promise of his debut win in a bumper at Newcastle and looks the stable's second preference behind Oxwich Bay this time.

Form: 17-467

Marmont^h,t¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: James Davies| T: Miss J S Davis| OR: 109| D

15/2

Doesn't appear to be particularly well handicapped but ran well against better opposition last time, so has to merit consideration here. Usually takes a run to put him right, so worth considering now his fitness has been topped up.

Form: 122-552

Midnight Midge^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryan Carver⁽⁷⁾| T: R J Hodges| OR: 106

13/8

Second to an improving type last time out reads well in the context of this race; has won for today's rider so the pieces are coming together. One to monitor very closely in the betting.

Form: 348162

Teaser^p,t¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 113| D

8/1

Not disgraced in his latest start (first after wind surgery) and feasible to suggest the gelding can build on that performance. His yard traditionally does well in these type of races. Serious contender here.

Form: 2183

Poucor⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-5| J: M Goldstein| T: M R Channon| OR: 113| D

8/1

Justified favouritism against his own age group on his penultimate start but was nowhere near the same level when tried at Ascot in January. That run was too poor to be true but the gelding needs to step things up considerably now handicapping.

Form: 217

Bodes Well^p⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Adam Elias⁽⁷⁾| T: W Greatrex| OR: 108

20/1

Sole win over hurdles achieved from a 3lb lower mark last October and been more miss than hit since. Champion jockey, Richard Johnson, couldn't get the gelding to raise his game last time; today's conditional may struggle too.

Form: 816375

Forecasts

Midnight Midge (13/8), Oxwich Bay (9/4), Marmont (15/2), Teaser (8/1), Poucor (8/1), On The Rox (14/1), Bodes Well (20/1)

This could possibly be another one for the Evan Williams yard if OXWICH BAY builds on what was a a solid return to hurdling last time out. The gelding last won from a 5lb higher mark, so still looks reasonably well treated here. Teaser is another who makes appeal after an improved effort last time and can go close now he's proved there's no ill effects after wind surgery. Poucor is hard to assess after such a poor run last time but is open to improvement and a market move could be dangerous to ignore.