Follow At The Races On Twitter Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 5m 2.10s

Melody Of Scotland^v¹¹

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

5/2

Unbeaten in two starts at this picturesque Northumberland venue; 7lb higher than when keeping on strongly to repel Morraman by 2¼L over C&D in June; runner-up off this mark at Fontwell recently.

Form: P-01162

Applaus^p¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Alain Cawley| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 110| C

16/1

Promising over hurdles earlier in his career (course winner as a novice); has raced over fences in the main during the past 18 months or so, keeping only moderate form; very risky, yet is on a fair mark if rejuvenated.

Form: 13/7PP-8

Something Brewing^p³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: Ross Chapman| T: I Jardine| OR: 109| C| D

7/2

Sprang a surprise when scoring by 1L from Ormesher at Bangor (2m3½f, good) last month; 3lb higher; his overall profile suggests that he's far from guaranteed to back up with another similar effort.

Form: 434-001

Transpennine Star^b¹⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: R Johnson| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 109| BF

9/4

Still seeking his first win over hurdles (0-11); firmly in the mix at the finish (third) when last in competitive action in a 2m7f handicap at Uttoxeter (good) in March; 1lb higher, dropped in trip off a 156-day absence.

Form: 834333-

Craig Star¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 107| D

10/1

No win since January 2018 (Kelso; 2m2f, heavy); kept on out of the pack when a clear second best to Murphy's Law at Bangor (2m7f, good) a fortnight ago; 2lb higher, but should strip fitter for that reappearance; Brian Hughes now aboard.

Form: 25557-2

Placedela Concorde^t⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: M A Barnes| OR: 103

6/1

Yet to win a handicap (both wins came as a novice); weakened quickly after forcing the pace at Sedgefield (2m4f, good) last week and needs to improve significantly on that effort.

Form: 36-4563

Oldtimer¹⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: R D Day| T: M Todhunter| OR: 102

20/1

Didn't show an abundance of promise in four starts over hurdles as a novice (2m-2m1f); up in trip for handicap debut on return from a 165-day absence; has stamina in his pedigree - half-brother to point winner Milan Express.

Form: 57056-

Forecasts

Transpennine Star (9/4), Melody Of Scotland (5/2), Something Brewing (7/2), Placedela Concorde (6/1), Craig Star (10/1), Applaus (16/1), Oldtimer (20/1)

Melody Of Scotland carries a welter burden of 11st 12lbs, but is unbeaten in two starts at this picturesque Northumberland track while the Iain Jardine-trained Something Brewing was a winner at Bangor last month. However, in an open contest we'll take a chance on the McCain and Hughes partnership. Their representative CRAIG STAR caught the eye on seasonal reappearance at Bangor when staying on out of the pack to finish a never nearer second to Murphy's Law. With improvement anticipated, this nine-year-old can hopefully overcome the attentions of the handicapper (2lb rise).