Mayfield Sussex Hop Gin Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:41 | Winning time: 4m 54.51s

Mellow Ben³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lorcan Williams| T: C Gordon| OR: 127| BF

6/4

Chased home a subsequent winner over C&D last month and that continued his run of consistent efforts so no reason why he shouldn't play a part in this similar contest.

Form: F84272-

Melekhov²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: C Brace| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 124

11/4

Fulfilling his Bumper potential now and off the mark over hurdles at Exeter last month. The extra 3f here look sure to suit and as a lightly raced type should have more to come.

Form: 211/421-

Mick Thonic^t¹¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 114

12/1

Not in the same form when last seen that he was in during the autumn but excellent claimer now takes over. Wants fast ground so any rain would not be welcome.

Form: 42366F-

Royal Hall^v⁷⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁸⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 114| C

3/1

Completed hat-trick last summer and in too deep when tailed off third here when last seen in February. This more realistic task and no surprise should he bounce back.

Form: 2111U3-

Ramore Will^h¹⁸²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: Rex Dingle| T: C Gordon| OR: 110| CD

9/1

Two soft ground wins in April last year but has winning form on this faster surface from earlier in his career. November run at Sandown though was his only run in last 12 months which is a bit of a concern.

Form: 3U11/55-

Mr Fickle¹⁷⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Philip Donovan⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 107| CD

28/1

Won a 0-100 contest at Fontwell in August but not in the same form two runs since and this is a much tougher contest in which to bounce back.

Form: 0P/7315-

Forecasts

Mellow Ben (6/4), Melekhov (11/4), Royal Hall (3/1), Ramore Will (9/1), Mick Thonic (12/1), Mr Fickle (28/1)

In the hope that the extra trip brings about further improvement MELEKHOV can maintain his progress by following up his Taunton win last month at the main expense of top weight Mellow Ben who looks the pick of Chris Gordon's pair. Local runner Royal Hall represents an in form yard and completes the short list.