Follow willhillracing On Twitter Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 5m 15.5s

Innocent Touch³²

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 135

10/1

Progressed nicely through the ranks over hurdles last year winning four times over 2m trips; now 1lb lower than his last hurdles win. Chasing career appears to have been curtailed for now, back over hurdles but untested at this trip.

Form: 51F-333

Sizing Granite^t⁴⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: H Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 126

9/4

Slipped well below his last winning hurdles mark, starting to look well handicapped; got back on track over fences last time around here. Now reverts to timber, would be dangerous to discount given he looks to be on the way back.

Form: 02-3P43

Irish Prophecy¹²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 126WS

4/1

Lost his way after making a perfect start to his career (two bumper, one hurdles win). Hard to train of late he's had just two runs (pulled up both times) since a wind op; returns from another break with plenty to prove.

Form: 1264/PP-

Timeforben^p⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 122| C

9/2

Improved over hurdles at a modest level throughout 2018 before starting this year in disappointing fashion. Subsequently given a wind op she appeared to be still finishing her races tamely when last seen in July; questions to answer in this grade.

Form: 1208-64

Majestic Touch^h³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 121| C

7/4

Course win came in the finale on today's card off a 6lb lower mark but has failed to score again since. Ran poorly last time coming off an eight-month break; probably deserves another chance (consistent enough last year); chance in weak heat.

Form: 14623-5

Non-Runners

Ena Baie³¹

Weight: 11-2| Age: 5

T: H Fry J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ena Baie (13/8), Majestic Touch (7/4), Sizing Granite (9/4), Irish Prophecy (4/1), Timeforben (9/2), Innocent Touch (10/1)

The absence of Ena Baie now makes this a weak contest for the grade and although listed as a 0-150 is in fact a 0-135. Innocent Touch reverting to hurdles looks well handicapped on the balance of his hurdling form although this trip may well test his stamina; this is 5f further than he’s gone before. The relative handicaps mark for SIZING GRANITE say that he’s a better chaser than hurdler but his recent decent run over fences may well have just set him up for this and he’s too well handicapped to ignore. Timeforben and Irish Prophecy both come with risks and the biggest danger looks to be Majestic Touch who may well have needed his comeback run and does have course experience.