Marstons Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 4m 47.0s

Highway One O One¹⁷¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Tom Cannon| T: C Gordon| OR: 140| BF| C

5/2

Two wins over fences last term and generally consistent (blip at Cheltenham Festival). Back from summer recess and is 9lb above previous hurdles win-mark, which means this is demanding first time up.

Form: 143203-

Zubayr⁶⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Bryony Frost| T: Ian Williams| OR: 133

9/2

Was successful on his last appearance over hurdles when he scored at Southwell (2m4½f) back in June. Returned to the Flat last time where he could only come home 13th of 19 at Goodwood (2m4½f). Up 3lb in weights but he is one for the shortlist.

Form: 08/475-1

The Sweeney^p²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 130| BF

6/1

Completed a double over timber at Market Rasen (both 2m4½f) early in the summer. Didn't appear to stay 3m2½f last month at Newton Abbot after a break; could bounce back over this distance.

Form: 523-116

Chapmanshype^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 128| CD

7/4

Progressing nicely in this sphere with three wins from seven, two of them recently at this track. Plenty to spare last time upped to 2m3f and rates a solid player again despite being raised 8lb for his success.

Form: 2-13311

Trans Express^p¹⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 125| D

7/1

Shown most of his best form at Exeter (0-8 left-handed) winning at his favourite track in March off a 6lb lower mark. Went close from the front at Aintree (2m4f, good) in May when last spotted and raised 3lb for finishing second. Has won fresh.

Form: 33414-2

The Gipper⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 121

33/1

All six career hurdles win have come on soft/heavy going and nothing beyond 2m. Tailed off on recent return at Market Rasen (2m½f, good; 33-1) in Listed handicap hurdle. Sights lowered but remains with questions to address.

Form: 71168-0

Non-Runners

Aintree My Dream¹⁵

Weight: 11-5| Age: 9

T: M F Harris J: Kevin Jones

Forecasts

Chapmanshype (7/4), Highway One O One (5/2), Zubayr (9/2), The Sweeney (6/1), Trans Express (7/1), Aintree My Dream (8/1), The Gipper (33/1)

Highway One O One makes his reappearance over timber after a solid season chasing last term. He's on a tough-enough mark, but does tend to go well fresh so bares some thought. Chapmanshype is developing an affinity with this track having twice scored and is likely to be in the mix despite an 8lb ratings rise. Trans Express defied fears about going left-handed at Aintree when last sighted and is another capable of going well fresh but the vote sits with THE SWEENEY. He was making good progress with his Market Rasen brace early in the summer and didn't seem to get home on his reappearance at Newton Abbot. This is more his thing and he can bounce back.