N & L Developments Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 19:10 | Winning time: 6m 19.5s

The Drone²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Kielan Woods| T: A M Hales| OR: 116| CD

15/8

Gained a second career win over hurdles latest when impressing over C&D in a 4L win. Upped 6lb for that but still quite lightly raced and can improve further to again go close.

Form: 123531-

Hidden Glen²⁰⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Adrian Heskin| T: B Pauling| OR: 116| C

9/1

Bumper winner on debut but failed to progress in that sphere although he was highly tried once in Ascot Listed company. Well held on his hurdles debut but won well next at Kempton over 2m5f. Unexposed and from respected yard he is a big player.

Form: 197/71-

Doesyourdogbite^b⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 115

11/1

Sound claims on the best of his Flat/hurdles form but he has been poor on his last two starts and he has not looked reliable since reeling off a hat-trick in 2016.

Form: 059/389-

Markov^t³²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: B Pauling| OR: 114

7/1

Not disgraced in three recent runs back over hurdles after a spell chasing although he hasn't exactly looked well handicapped either. That said he gets another 2lb back here so is creeping back into contention.

Form: 7/8P254-

Atomic Rumble^t⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: T J O'Brien| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 113

7/2

Won twice last summer over 2m4f and 2m6f and showed since that 3m is no problem. Third latest at Sedgefield over a marathon trip showed he's in fair order and is capable off this handicap mark so one for the shortlist here.

Form: 177653-

Zamoyski^p³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: J E Moore| T: S Gollings| OR: 110| C

25/1

Landed fine hat-trick of handicap hurdles here over 2m4½f last season. Looked pretty exposed since but first time back here and upped in trip he could well be about to spark a revival.

Form: 11/13P3-

Three Bullet Gate⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: J M Quinlan| T: R Dickin| OR: 106

9/2

Lightly raced maiden but looked like this sort of trip might be the answer latest when keeping on well for fourth of 16 over 2m4f at Uttoxeter off today's mark. Interesting contender here then.

Form: 628644-

Forecasts

The Drone (15/8), Atomic Rumble (7/2), Three Bullet Gate (9/2), Markov (7/1), Hidden Glen (9/1), Doesyourdogbite (11/1), Zamoyski (25/1)

While recent C&D winner The Drone is quite persuasive here others may prove better handicapped with Ben Pauling's HIDDEN GLEN in particular appealing as he goes up to 3m on the back of a nice win at Kempton latest. Also likely to appreciate 3m for the first time is Three Bullet Gate and he too merits maximum respect here.