Lubenham Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:55 | Winning time: 5m 25.8s

Chirico Vallis^h,t¹⁰^{(ex 7)}

Age: 7| Weight: 12-5| J: R P McLernon| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 114| D

13/8

Took advantage of his falling handicap mark to score with plenty in hand at Ludlow last week, coming clear on the bridle late on. Penalty to carry for that but conditions fine and this is not a strong event for the money. Big chance of the follow-up

Form: 3P-P661

Never Equalled^b¹³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 114| D

3/1

Bounced back to form (well backed) when successful in a better class of race than this at Ffos Las last time, staying on gamely late to claim the prize. This slight drop back in trip possibly not ideal, and 6lb rise makes life tougher though.

Form: 5P2-5U1

Be My Sea²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-6| J: Ben Jones⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 108

7/2

Has had four starts on the Flat/hurdles this year, coming back from a long absence and has hinted on latest start at Kempton that he retains much of his ability. Step up in trip here a big help and under very useful conditional, has chances.

Form: 56221/6

Star of Rory^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: Lee Edwards| T: J Groucott| OR: 108

9/1

Ran well a couple of times at Warwick last year and did win one in March quite convincingly. Will strip fitter for his seasonal debt at Chepstow last month (shaped encouragingly) but does need to prove himself at this trip. Chance if he stays.

Form: 49241-7

Russian Service⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-1| J: Matt Griffiths| T: S Drinkwater| OR: 103

12/1

Well handicapped if you want to dig back far enough but not seen much in recent times, suggesting there's been difficulties, and there was little to cheer on his reappearance at Worcester in October. May still need another run or two to get fit.

Form: D84P3/P

Ulysses¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: James Davies| T: D Shaw| OR: 98

16/1

Winner at Stratford in August and shaped better than bare result over a trip too short for him at Market Rasen last time out; this trip more suitable and yard among the winners (on the Flat), so reasons for thinking he could do better today.

Form: 122557

Forecasts

Chirico Vallis (13/8), Never Equalled (3/1), Be My Sea (7/2), Star of Rory (9/1), Russian Service (12/1), Ulysses (16/1)

Chirico Valiris finally got his head back in front after two years since his last win and has been found a suitably easy opportunity to try and follow up, but given that big gap between victories, it would be a brave person to say he's a good thing at a likely short price. Never Equalled looks the obvious alternative but he has his own questions to answer and at a likely big price, it might be worth chancing BE MY SEA, who shaped nicely over an inadequate trip at Kempton and will appreciate this test today. Ulysses will be a big price too, but isn't without hope of getting in the shake-up either.