Porto Racing Saddlery Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:41 | Winning time: 6m 23.70s

Slaine⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Le Clerc| T: N B King| OR: 120| C

11/10

In fine form of late striking in three of her last four starts but now has to prove that she can progress again off a career-high mark over a longer trip. Got first run on the pair that followed her home last time; leading player despite the 3m trip.

Form: U91211

Our Reward^p³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 11-9| J: Ben Hicks⁽¹⁰⁾| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 117| D

11/1

Failed to exploit a lower chase mark since scoring over hurdles last May when returning from a five-month break (wore first-time cheekpieces). Has shown some temperament (now back in cheekpieces), usually races prominently; not one to rely on.

Form: 25-16U6

Will O'The West^b1⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Patrick Cowley⁽⁵⁾| T: Laura Morgan| OR: 110

11/2

Defending a long losing sequence that stretches back to 2016; followed a below-par effort on his penultimate start with an even worse one. Blinkers are now introduced for the first-time and they need to have a significant effect.

Form: 5-P356P

Moidore⁷⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Charlie Hammond⁽³⁾| T: C T Pogson| OR: 101

7/4

Positive tactics combined with a reduced mark produced a return to winning form which hadn't been seen for three years when taking a Market Rasen 2m7f handicap hurdle. Ran just as well next time but in defeat; up 3lb, now 10lb above his last win.

Form: 955-712

Non-Runners

Mighty Leader¹⁵

Weight: 11-8| Age: 11

T: J G M O'Shea J: Benjamin Poste

Forecasts

Slaine (11/10), Moidore (7/4), Will O'The West (11/2), Our Reward (11/1), Mighty Leader (16/1)

The fact that SLAINE hasn’t won at this trip and has to try and do so off a career-high mark gives slight doubts about her prospects but it’s hard to find a sound proposition against here and she does appear to be still progressing. Both Moidore and Our Reward like to go forward and that could well set the race up for the suggestion the former of those just mentioned arrives in good heart and would be the main danger but he is working his way back up the handicap again. Mighty Leader resides well below his highest winning mark but would to need to find that form again while Will O’The West needs the first-time blinkers to take effect immediately.