West Wales Properties Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 20:35 | Winning time: 3m 41.10s

Carntop^b,t²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 120| D

8/1

Picked up back to back to wins at Worcester a year ago but has been disappointing since. Reverts to hurdles and a flatter more conventional circuit with headgear refitted. Has the ability to threaten, particularly if this turns tactical.

Form: 1134-34

Shiroccan Roll⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 120

4/1

Came to hand early last season and form deteriorated during the winter. Could be a different horse returning from a three month break, however some rain would enhance his prospects.

Form: 1220P3-

Jacbequick^p,t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Isabel Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 117| C| D

6/5

A change of headgear had the desired effect three weeks ago when produced late to score. Has to be ridden that way and last two victories have been in strongly run races. Has Metatrons Cube to ensure an even tempo so hard to ignore.

Form: 242-221

Noah And The Ark²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 115| D

9/4

Won two novice hurdles last year and signs last time he was closer to finding his right mark. Dropped another 2lb and a rare runner for a stable who scored with their only other runner here in the last five years.

Form: 1193-55

Metatrons Cube^t¹⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Stan Sheppard⁽³⁾| T: M Sheppard| OR: 110

12/1

Front-runner who is suited to a sounder surface than he encountered for most of last season. No surprise to see him exploit his current mark before long, but fitter rivals may have his measure here.

Form: 46229-

Non-Runners

Manor Park²²

Weight: 11-2| Age: 4

T: A King J: Adrian Heskin

Nabhan¹⁴

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: B J Llewellyn J: Robert Williams

Forecasts

Jacbequick (6/5), Noah And The Ark (9/4), Manor Park (9/4), Shiroccan Roll (4/1), Nabhan (6/1), Carntop (8/1), Metatrons Cube (12/1)

A tough handicap in which a case can be made for all. NOAH AND THE ARK cannot match some for recent form, but there were positive signs last time and the handicapper has given him a chance here. Rivals such as Jacbequick and Nabhan have been delivered late to win recently and are rising up the weights, whilst Carntop and Shiroccan Roll have ability but have disappointed since their last successes. Manor Park looks fairly treated but may lack the speed of some, whilst Metatrons Cube will appreciate the forecast ground but may need this after a break.