Graeme Todd And Friends Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:21 | Winning time: 7m 23.6s

Niceandeasy^p,h1⁴⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Lucy Alexander| T: N W Alexander| OR: 119

13/2

Won his first three races over hurdles for Keith Dalgleish to show what he was capable of; failed to win in handicaps. Comes here on the back of a very poor performance; only shown his form once for this yard; new headgear combination now tried.

Form: 34362-P

Total Assets¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-4| J: Henry Brooke| T: S Waugh| OR: 111| CD

9/2

Generally has a good record here over obstacles (2-8 over hurdles, 4-11 overall); has no great record fresh so no surprise that he needed his comeback run at Carlisle (fences). Back over hurdles off a 2lb lower mark; more than capable of showing his

Form: 61455-3

Kalaharry¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 109

8/1

Not an easy horse to train highlighted by his having had just nine runs since April 2017; has scored three times in that period though. Would have needed the run at Aintree last time; interesting with that under his belt, yard are going well.

Form: 1/7171-0

Achill Road Boy²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 107| C| D

9/1

Usually seen over fences he managed just one win last year in that sphere (here over 2m7f); failed to complete last two chasing starts. Back from an absence over hurdles last time (first-time cheekpieces, needed the run); high enough in the weights.

Form: 122U-F6

Hastrubal⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: A M Thomson| OR: 107WS

7/2

Had some reasonable handicap hurdle form for Henry Daly last season (2224) before going 0-2 for this yard in the same sphere after a break. Back from wind surgery an extreme trip like this should suit especially off a reduced mark.

Form: 2264-74

Court Baloo^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Ross Chapman| T: A C Whillans| OR: 98| CD

15/8

One of two that the stable run with this one looking the better fancied having fought hard to complete his hat-trick over C&D recently off 6lb lower. Looks better and ever and despite this being tougher he's hard to dismiss especially with he yard in

Form: 757111

Forecasts

Court Baloo (15/8), Hastrubal (7/2), Total Assets (9/2), Niceandeasy (13/2), Kalaharry (8/1), Achill Road Boy (9/1)

The Alistair Whillans yard have been in cracking form of late highlighted by the hat-trick that Court Baloo was able to complete over C&D last time pulling clear with the runner-up and proving well suited by this test. It’s hard to rule out the possibility of another win but TOTAL ASSETS just shades the argument returning to a track where she always shows her best having warmed up over fences at Carlisle. Whillans has another chance in this with the lightly-raced Kalaharry who will have come on for his Aintree return and Hastrubal can’t be ruled out especially if this turns into a real slog which is possible in the prevailing conditions.