Mustang Savills Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 3m 48.50s

Candy Burg^t²³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: James Bowen| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 129

14/1

Claimed from Olly Murphy after making all to win a Ffos Las claiming chase (2m3f, good to soft) last October; fell heavily on stable debut at Aintree; a confidence restoring mission over hurdles after a 235-day absence?

Form: 3P171F-

Beach Break^b²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 123| D

13/2

Has made little real impact on the Flat (1m4f-1m7f+) so far this season, often bogged down in testing ground; same mark as when beating Lovato by 2¾L over hurdles at Stratford (2m, good) in September 2018.

Form: 134280-

Lovato^p²²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 123| BF| CD

4/1

Justified favouritism in a C&D novice (good) last July and was a game winner at Bangor (Class 4 handicap) later in the year; some work to do with today's rival Beach Break on the basis of Stratford form; first competitive start for 228 days.

Form: F/21727-

Milrow^t¹⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Houlihan⁽³⁾| T: Mrs S Leech| OR: 120| D

18/1

Last win came in a 2m Stratford seller for Dr Richard Newland in August 2016; is easing in the weights following some tough assignments (inc the Lanzarote Hurdle); has a chance of sorts on December's Ascot form, admittedly on soft.

Form: F06207-

The Vollan^t¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 108| D

13/8

Progressive; 2lb 'well-in' under a 7lb penalty for winning at Southwell (1m7½f, good to soft) last week - beat Jacbequick by over 3L; has race fitness on his side unlike a couple of the others; chance.

Form: 86550-1

Chapmanshype^t³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 113| D

11/4

Bought for £72,000 after winning a Punchestown bumper on debut in October 2018; is progressing nicely over hurdles; made a winning handicap debut at Ffos Las (2m, good) in May; merits respect in a stronger race off just 3lb higher.

Form: 1042-1

Forecasts

The Vollan (13/8), Chapmanshype (11/4), Lovato (4/1), Beach Break (13/2), Candy Burg (14/1), Milrow (18/1)

THE VOLLAN and Chapmanshype must show additional improvement in order to stamp their respective marks in Class 3 handicaps, but there are reasons to anticipate that either (or both) will prove capable of playing a leading role in this race. Of the more established runners, Candy Burg and Lovato are returning from lengthy absences, while the Donald McCain-trained Beach Break has hardly been overly inspiring on the Flat of late. Therefore, under a 7lb penalty for last week's Southwell win (is due a 9lb rise), we'll chance the Charlie Longsdon-trained 5yo The Vollan.