Oakmere Homes Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:00 | Winning time: 6m 5.2s

Robin The Raven^p,t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: David Bass| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 143| D

7/4

Flew home by 7L at Warwick returning from an 11 month break although plenty in the race failed to fire but that did make if 4-5 in completed starts over hurdles. Given an 8lb rise for that success which may make him vulnerable in this.

Form: 3F1/3F1-

Canyon City¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 142

9/4

Took another step forward in the level of the form he's shown when scoring a career-best at Haydock last time off a 5lb lower mark. Bar one blemish his form in the last seven to eight months has been very consistent; another sound run expected.

Form: 20316-1

Rolling Maul^b,t²⁰³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-6| J: R Johnson| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 137| D

14/1

More than capable on his day as he showed when winning three handicaps in this sphere last autumn the last off a 2lb lower mark. His winning spree came to an end the last time he was seen; returns from a break, can be a very hard/lazy ride.

Form: 441118-

Stop The World^t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 122

11/4

Ought to have won a race over hurdles by now (placed last three starts); looks to have got his act together in handicaps though. Ran his best race at Exeter last time and goes up further in trip here; expected to thereabouts at the finish.

Form: 63522-3

Allbarnone³⁶²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: Ross Chapman| T: G Hanmer| OR: 121| CD

14/1

Took this event last year off a 4lb lower mark having previously scored his only victory around here back in 2016. Not seen since that victory; whilst he can go well fresh he's never won off a break of 150 days plus (0-4); long absence is a worry.

Form: 35759/1-

Cairnshill³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Kenny Johnson| OR: 114| D

14/1

Up in grade after scoring at Carlisle (3m1f) last time and generally looking an improved model for a stable switch. Won readily last time (small-field affair), looked to have a little in hand; remains of interest if he can handle this class.

Form: 295021-

Non-Runners

Tawseef³⁵

Weight: 10-6| Age: 11

T: D McCain Jnr J: Abbie McCain

Forecasts

Robin The Raven (7/4), Canyon City (9/4), Stop The World (11/4), Tawseef (10/1), Cairnshill (14/1), Allbarnone (14/1), Rolling Maul (14/1)

Four last-time out winners go to post here albeit one of them – Allbarnone – winner of this race last year from out of the handicap returns to defend his crown having not been seen since; that gives him a tough task. Both Robin The Raven and Cairnshill struck last time but the former has to overcome a harsh 8lb rise while the latter has to prove himself at this level from out of the handicap. Of those successful last time CANYON CITY makes the most appeal especially with his consistent record and a 5lb rise for his Haydock win may not be enough to anchor him. Tawseef off a much-reduced mark could well be the biggest danger (has to reverse form with Cairnshill) given his good course record.