Sky Sports Racing Virgin 535 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 6m 39.65s

Victarion^b⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 12-3| J: R Johnson| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 121

5/1

First-time blinkers did the trick at Uttoxeter in July and has gone close on both starts since. Handles soft ground but wouldn't want it to come up too testing under hefty burden.

Form: 1-23122

Tegerek³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: R P McLernon| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 116

5/1

French 1m2f Flat winner in 29017. Yet to strike in this sphere for current yard although has run well in defeat on occasions. Poor effort Ascot latest and steps up half a mile in trip. Interesting to see how he fairs.

Form: 3542-30

Toi Storey^t1²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: C O'Farrell| T: R Menzies| OR: 112

13/2

Handled heavy ground well to score over 2m4f at Hexham last term and ran as though outing would do him good when fading from 2 out at Kelso in November on first start back after wind surgery. Eased 4lb and not out of it if he stays this new trip.

Form: 44331-7

Call Me Sid^t1²⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: David Bass| T: J Mason| OR: 111WS

8/1

Ludlow 2m5f maiden hurdle winner back in January 2018. Basically disappointing since and has dropped 14lb in the handicap. Returns from wind surgery and has first-time tongue-tie so plenty to prove after seven-month break.

Form: 7/P386-0

Little Boy Boru¹⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Ben Godfrey⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss S Smith| OR: 107

11/1

Veteran who stays well and handles soft ground. Won Plumpton 3m1f in February off 4lb lower mark. Unseated rider early at Cheltenham a couple of weeks ago. Yard back among winners so any market support would be significant.

Form: 715U-5U

Mr Love^p¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 105| D

5/4

On a hat-trick after wins at Huntingdon and Newcastle last month, just scraping home at the latter track 18 days ago off a 7lb lower mark. More needed but is clearly in great heart and will be a popular choice.

Form: 76-0411

Non-Runners

Moidore⁹⁰

Weight: 10-11| Age: 10

T: C T Pogson J: Charlie Hammond

Forecasts

Mr Love (5/4), Tegerek (5/1), Victarion (5/1), Toi Storey (13/2), Moidore (7/1), Call Me Sid (8/1), Little Boy Boru (11/1)

A chance is taken on the veteran LITTLE BOY BORU, a horse who is guaranteed to stay and handles testing ground well. With his young rider's 7lb allowance he has a sporting chance. Top weight Victarion is respected, as too is the hat-trick seeking Mr Love, although he has to raise his game again to maintain his sequence. Toi Storey is feasibly handicapped now and ran well enough on his seasonal return, while Tegerek could be a player if he lasts home over this new trip.