Pardy's Dairies Fresh Milk Deliveries Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 3m 53.10s

Fiesole¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Fergus Gregory⁽³⁾| T: O Murphy| OR: 139| D

6/1

Progressive hurdler; fourth in the Swinton Hurdle is amongst some of the best form on offer here (given a patient ride on that occasion). Recent Flat run may have been to put the finishing touches on him for his return; yard struggling for winners.

Form: 106F1-4

Flashing Glance¹⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: R Johnson| T: T Lacey| OR: 130| CD

4/1

C&D winner who gained a reward for some consistent efforts in February when winning over 2m at Ludlow (showed a good attitude). Only seen once since then at Aintree (ran respectably); still feasibly treated for his return to action off a break.

Form: U62315-

Court Royale¹¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-13| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 126| D

5/1

Sharp 2m tests will always show him at his best over hurdles (won three times in such circumstances); best recent form when winning at Ludlow in April. Not in the same form when last seen again at Ludlow; may need this back from an absence.

Form: 19541-5

Teqany^t⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 125| D

7/2

Dual chase/hurdles winner on his final two starts in Ireland who showed immediate improvement for his current yard on his GB debut over hurdles (third over C&D). Progressed again last time (runner-up) at Newton Abbot; sure to go well again.

Form: 6311-32

Beach Break^b⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 125| CD

7/1

Dangerous if allowed his own way again up front having made use of that scenario at Bangor last time (slipped below his last winning mark); won easily (10L). Handicapper gives him an 8lb rise for that romp; that is enough to make him vulnerable.

Form: 280-461

Competition^t⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 120| D

4/1

Taken a while to work his way back to form having landed a couple of 2m novice events over 2m at Uttoxeter last summer. Second at Worcester (ridden prominently) confirmed he was looking near his best again; should be competitive off this mark.

Form: 3-74P22

Airton^p,t⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 118| D

10/1

Off the mark at the first attempt over hurdles (fairly useful Flat sort) at Taunton he's failed to win again over timber struggling for the most part in handicaps. Was running well when fell last time at Ffos Las (looked a threat); others preferred.

Form: 230-97F

Forecasts

Teqany (7/2), Competition (4/1), Flashing Glance (4/1), Court Royale (5/1), Fiesole (6/1), Beach Break (7/1), Airton (10/1)

One of the more competitive events on the card and a fairly complex puzzle to solve. We should get a contest run at a decent pace with Beach Break and Competition in the field although both would have to be at their best to claim the prize. Fiesole ran an excellent race to be fourth in the Swinton Hurdle but his yard are rather quiet at the moment and he’s passed over in favour of TEQANY. He looks to have improved since moving to Britain recording two sound efforts, coming well clear of the rest of the field when second last time at Newton Abbot. Both Flashing Glance and Court Royale will be sound performers in this grade but have absences to overcome.