Firewall Ltd Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 6m 5.20s

Theatrebar^t⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-12| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 136

7/1

Veteran holding his form well and has won two of his last four starts, at Wetherby and Worcester. Raised 3lb following latest second at Uttoxeter but has had seven-week break and represents top team so should go well.

Form: 851-212

Young Wolf²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 133| D

2/1

Favourite for each of his last five races, winning twice. Hit the target last time when staying on dourly at Stratford over 3m2f off 3lb lower mark and still looks competitively weighted with top young rider's 3lb allowance taken into account.

Form: 331-221

Jacks Last Hope^v²⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: P J Brennan| T: C Grant| OR: 128| CD

5/1

Won this race in 2017 off 11lb higher mark. Having fourth run here since six-month break and ran creditably last time when third at Market Rasen off 1lb higher suggesting he may be on the way back.

Form: 433-553

Morraman⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 126| BF| D

11/2

Landed Wetherby 2m5f h'cap hurdle off 11lb lower mark and good second both starts since. Won over this trip at Musselburgh last season but steps up in grade and will need career best to win off this mark.

Form: 1341-22

Mr Mafia^p²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: R Johnson| T: M Keighley| OR: 117| CD

15/8

Goes well here and is on a hat-trick after two wins here in 3m h'cap chases last month. Attempting to build on top form and exploit lower mark over timber and every chance he will give another good account of himself at a track that suits.

Form: 0-53511

Non-Runners

Alfie's Choice¹⁰⁶

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: K Dalgleish J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Mr Mafia (15/8), Young Wolf (2/1), Alfie's Choice (4/1), Jacks Last Hope (5/1), Morraman (11/2), Theatrebar (7/1)

A trappy heat that may fall to bottom weight MR MAFIA who loves it here. He won by wide margins in two handicap chases last month but has also won here over hurdles in the past so is no forlorn hope to continue his form over these smaller obstacles. Young Wolf always seems to prove popular with pounters and hit the target last time with a brave success. He should be thereabouts once again, along with in-form top weight Theatrebar. 2017 winner Jack's Last Hope hinted at an impending return to form last time and could prove the main danger to the selection.