Airlynx Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:10 | Winning time: 4m 27.85s

Demon Fou⁵⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 12-2| J: Nick Scholfield| T: J Scott| OR: 107

11/10

Taunton maiden hurdle winner last year, showed improved form when third over this C&D on latest start in March. Lightly-raced and has settled better in his last two starts that suggests he has more to offer. Rates a leading contender.

Form: 912573-

Light Gunner¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Bannister| T: R Bandey| OR: 103

7/1

13-race maiden under both codes with five of them coming over hurdles. Promise on first of two starts for this new stable but then well beaten on handicap debut. More needed now.

Form: P052-5

Joly Maker^h²⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Adrian Heskin| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 98| BF

5/1

Former Irish-trained runner makes his British and stable debut with his last run coming back in August. Best effort came when runner-up at Wexford over two miles on quick ground that would place him as a leading hope. Stable in good form.

Form: 804258-

Goldslinger^t²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: N F Houlihan⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 97| D

2/1

Mixing Flat and hurdling of late but returns to this sphere high in the handicap at 5lb higher than his last win. Has proven better suited by cut in the ground over jumps and others preferred. Stable won this last year.

Form: 31/2P94-

Choral Bee^p⁵⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Brendan Powell| T: A E Jessop| OR: 64

100/1

Returned from a 433-day absence to be pulled up at huge odds in both starts this year. Hard to fancy on that evidence and remains best watched.

Form: 0P69/PP-

Non-Runners

Ri An Rian¹⁷

Weight: 11-6| Age: 6

T: Mrs L J Mongan J: Harry Teal

Forecasts

Demon Fou (11/10), Goldslinger (2/1), Joly Maker (5/1), Light Gunner (7/1), Ri An Rian (16/1), Choral Bee (100/1)

DEMON FOU seems to be heading in the right direction now he's settling better and a repeat of his latest run over this C&D would probably be good enough to win this. Joly Maker is the obvious danger and market support would be interesting for these connections on his British debut. Any rain would boost the chances of Goldslinger.