Follow At The Races On Twitter Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:50 | Winning time: 4m 33.1s

Melody Of Scotland^v³³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: B Haslam| OR: 120

13/2

Completed a Hexham double when winning over 2m4f on good ground in June. Well beaten at Cartmel (2m6f, soft) subsequently but remains of interest back down in trip.

Form: 3P-0116

Gateway To Europe³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 117| BF

9/4

Placed on all four starts since joining this yard most recently when 4L second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good) last month. Notable runner on handicap debut.

Form: 63-2322

Shiroccan Roll³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 116

4/1

Victorious in a novice hurdle at Newton Abbot (2m1f, good-to-soft) last September. Some decent efforts since including when fourth of five at Ffos Las (2m, good) last time out.

Form: 220P3-4

Robin Des Mana⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr P York⁽⁵⁾| T: P York| OR: 115

40/1

Selling hurdle winner for Gordon Elliott at Southwell (good) 13 months ago. Struggled since joining this yard however including over fences last time out.

Form: 11334-6

Royal Irish Hussar^b1,t³⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Fergus Gregory⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L Hill| OR: 115

40/1

Well beaten in two starts since joining this yard and probably best watched in first start for 12 months bidding for a first victory since 2013.

Form: 7F2/557-

King Cool^b³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 109| CD

4/1

Placed second on all three starts since returning from a break. Beaten 7L over an extended 2m7f at Uttoxeter (good) last month and is likely to run well once more.

Form: 17P-222

Sizing Tara^b1,t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 104

3/1

Eight race maiden finished a fair fourth over an extended 2m2f at Newton Abbot (good-to-firm) last time out. Blinkers added to the tongue tie worn for the first time that day.

Form: 67P/364

Forecasts

Gateway To Europe (9/4), Sizing Tara (3/1), Shiroccan Roll (4/1), King Cool (4/1), Melody Of Scotland (13/2), Robin Des Mana (40/1), Royal Irish Hussar (40/1)

MELODY OF SCOTLAND should appreciate the return to a sound surface and he can register a third win in his last four starts by taking this competitive looking handicap hurdle under top weight. Gateway To Europe has been performing well in defeat in recent times and he can finish runner-up ahead of King Cool who has placed on his three most recent starts.