Betway Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 11:50 | Winning time: 3m 58.00s

Minella Charmer²⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: Charlotte Jones⁽⁸⁾| T: James Moffatt| OR: 130| D

11/2

Tired on the run-in (third) on his previous visit to Haydock (2m3f, heavy) last December; absent since making all to beat the reliable Dali Mail at Newcastle (2m, heavy) in March; the 8lb claim of Charlotte Jones is considered massively helpful.

Form: 6F/FP31-

Top Gamble^b1,t⁶⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: R Patrick⁽³⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 128| D

8/1

A Gr 2 winning chaser in 2016, who also finished third to Le Prezien in the Grand Annual at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival; his confidence has clearly taken a hit over fences in the past 12 months (4FF0F); blinkered on first hurdles run for 5½ years.

Form: 8/4FF0-F

Notwhatiam²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Midgley⁽⁷⁾| T: A Berry| OR: 125

66/1

Winner over fences for Dan Skelton at Hexham (2m4f, good) in June, but going backwards at a rate of knots for his new yard; a tailed-off last of 12 over 2m3f here four weeks ago; is very easy to pass over.

Form: 122650

Fin And Game²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 124| D

10/11

Won twice as a novice in very testing conditions (Wetherby and Bangor); returned to hurdles after an abortive spell over fences when a one-paced second to Cornerstone Lad in this race last year (heavy); ran well on seasonal reappearance (third).

Form: 4/652P-3

Bang On²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Rex Dingle| T: J Scott| OR: 113| D

5/2

A Taunton regular; always held when beaten in excess of 1L by Working Class (2m½f, good) on his penultimate start; less productive next time but remains on a competitive mark if handling the heavy ground (appeared to in his NHF days).

Form: 6034-28

Forecasts

Fin And Game (10/11), Bang On (5/2), Minella Charmer (11/2), Top Gamble (8/1), Notwhatiam (66/1)

FIN AND GAME has the benefit of a recent run under his belt - finished 7L third to Bold Plan over 2m3f here four weeks ago - and for that reason alone is preferred to the topweight Minella Charmer who will surely relish the underfoot conditions with the very capable 8lb claimer Charlotte Jones in the saddle. The selection was a one-paced second to the recent Fighting Fifth Hurdle winner Cornerstone Lad in this race last year.