Guinness Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:16 | Winning time: 6m 40.20s

Takingrisks²⁰³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: N G Richards| OR: 137| CD

4/1

Won the Scottish Grand National at this course over 4m on his last start over fences. Returns to hurdles now where he could still be off a decent mark. He is a C&D winner and he goes well fresh. Big chance.

Form: 123611-

Flashjack²²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-10| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: H D Daly| OR: 135| BF| D

5/1

Prevailed at Fontwell (3m2f) on his penultimate start in what was his seventh success over hurdles. Was disappointing on his latest appearance at Bangor (2m7f) as he had just one horse behind him in an eight runner field. One to think about.

Form: 5/23517-

Planet Nine³⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Craig Nichol| T: R Dobbin| OR: 134

5/1

Is a two-time winner over hurdles but he has not been seen since he was fifth of nine over this C&D in November 2018. Is down 1lb in the weights but he is best to watch on his return to action.

Form: 53114/5-

Justatenner^h¹⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Harry Reed⁽³⁾| T: T Davidson| OR: 130| D

5/2

Scored at Cartmel (3m1½f) back in the summer but has been unable to add to that since in three attempts, albeit he has been performing well. He was third of 10 on his latest start last month at Wetherby (3m). One to consider here.

Form: 421223

Taxmeifyoucan^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: B S Hughes| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 128

7/2

Dual-purpose gelding who scored on his last outing over hurdles at Hexham (2m4f). Appeared on the Flat last time at Pontefract (2m2f) where he was fourth of six. Looks to still be off a winnable mark. Leading contender.

Form: 70468-1

Heist^p,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-7| J: D R Fox| T: P Griffin| OR: 118| D

10/1

Had a poor chase campaign last season so he is back over hurdles now. Finished fourth of 10 on his seasonal reappearance at Hexham (2m7½f). Down 1lb but others appeal much more here.

Form: 57U8P-4

Non-Runners

Spirit Of Kayf¹⁹⁰

Weight: 10-11| Age: 8

T: N W Alexander J: Lucy Alexander

Forecasts

Justatenner (5/2), Taxmeifyoucan (7/2), Takingrisks (4/1), Planet Nine (5/1), Flashjack (5/1), Heist (10/1), Spirit Of Kayf (14/1)

TAXMEIFYOUCAN finished his race strong last time at Hexham when he was successful over a shorter trip than this. He remains off a workable mark so take him to make the successful step up in distance. Justatenner has been performing consistently well over the last few months and although he is at a new career high mark, it should not prevent him from being in contention, while Scottish Grand National winner Takingrisks deserves a lot of respect on his return to hurdles so take him to fill the placings in this compeitive contest.