Mike Bunn Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 5m 46.2s

Master Dancer^p,t1¹⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: R Johnson| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 127WS

5/1

Looked a horse going places when bolting up at Chepstow (2m) and here (2m5f) last season but unable to build on that. Has undergone wind surgery since being easily fended off in 3m Cheltenham Listed contest in November (fell late). Tongue tie added.

Form: 0/147-0F

Young Wolf⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 122| BF

6/4

Hereford third led to him being odds-on at Catterick latest but front two rather took each other on a long way out there leading to disappointing third. Strong chance there's more to come now handicapping over new trip.

Form: 2-433

Manning Estate²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: L P Aspell| T: O Sherwood| OR: 119

5/2

Taken a while for the penny to drop over hurdles but got off the mark at fourth attempt; race rather fell apart in Doncaster novice contest in March. Ran well enough since at Fontwell and scope for better out in trip.

Form: 624214

Hepijeu^p,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: C Gethings| T: S Edmunds| OR: 117

7/2

Recorded a hurdles hat-trick earlier in the season all over staying trips and has since finished second three times in as many starts over fences. Should be capable of a challenge off this mark over timber.

Form: 111222

Ruacana^b1¹¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 116

14/1

10 races for this yard winless and beaten well in two runs late last year after spending 13 months on the easy list. Well-handicapped on old form; questions as to whether first-time blinkers can do enough to see him regain the thread.

Form: P75/0-56

Forecasts

Young Wolf (6/4), Manning Estate (5/2), Hepijeu (7/2), Master Dancer (5/1), Ruacana (14/1)

This looks a decent chance for YOUNG WOLF, making his handicap, as he steps up in distance for trainer Jonjo O'Neill. He was guilty of getting into a duel last time and, if ridden with more patience, has plenty scope. Master Dancer has undergone a wind operation since he was last spotted and could bounce back while Manning Estate is another with potential for better over this new trip. The main danger to the selection might be Hepijeu, successful three times over timber earlier in the season and capable from this mark based on chase for since.