Solar Signs Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 18:35 | Winning time: 4m 6.20s

Manamite²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 122| BF| CD

4/1

Twice a winner over hurdles, including from an 8lb lower mark over C&D (heavy) in December 2018; flopped when a beaten 7/4f at Newcastle (2m, good to soft) latest; needs to bounce back.

Form: P8141P-

Zig Zag^p⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B S Hughes| T: P A Kirby| OR: 119| BF| D

7/1

Rated just 1lb higher than when gamely repelling the challenge of Wishfull Dreaming at Wetherby (2m, good) in January; low-key on the Flat at Thirsk (1m4f) on Monday evening; merits respect with Brian Hughes booked.

Form: 364145-

Fisher Green^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Dale Irving⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 112| D

9/1

Looks to be harshly handicapped following a couple of good-ground wins against fairly moderate opponents at Musselburgh (1m7½f); pulled up over 2m4f here latest.

Form: 37114P-

Beyondtemptation^h,t¹⁴

Age: 11| Weight: 10-13| J: Danny Cook| T: J C Haynes| OR: 109| CD

7/2

Grand old mare who simply has the one setting (jump off in front and seek to make all); absolutely adores this place and generally speaking spring is her favoured time of the year; slowly easing in the weights.

Form: 512737-

Steel Wave^p1⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Ross Chapman| T: G Hanmer| OR: 108

3/1

Runner up for Willie Mullins at Punchestown (2m4f, good) in October 2018; 0-6 for this trainer (bought for £21,000); handicap mark more manageable; cheekpieces applied following a recent third-placed finish at Bangor (2m7f); needs further?

Form: 743443-

Endless Credit¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr Aiden Blakemore⁽⁷⁾| T: L Egerton| OR: 106| CD

3/1

C&D winner off a 9lb higher mark for previous trainer Micky Hammond in May 2018; not in the same form since joining this trainer; raced prominently until weakening from the second last at Carlisle (2m1f, good) a fortnight ago.

Form: 6P8374-

Forecasts

Steel Wave (3/1), Endless Credit (3/1), Beyondtemptation (7/2), Manamite (4/1), Zig Zag (7/1), Fisher Green (9/1)

Both the course standing-dish Beyondtemptation and the Brian Hughes-ridden Zig Zag are confirmed front-runners, with Endless Credit and Fisher Green also generally most productive when racing prominently, so there's every likelihood that this race will be a true test of stamina. That brings the newly cheekpieced Steel Wave into contention (stays 2m4f plus), and also the hold-up horse MANAMITE. Although failing to deliver the goods at Newcastle and high enough in the weights, given such a scenario it's perfectly feasible that this race might just fall his way.