Signs 2000 Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 6m 40.10s

Aengus^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Sean Quinlan| T: J Candlish| OR: 102

7/1

Four-length behind Aniknam when third at Hexham (2m7f; heavy) last time out. That was a step forward from seasonal reappearance, and although he is an infrequent scorer he has solid place claims off an unchanged mark.

Form: P-33P63

Oscar Maguire¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: O Murphy| OR: 100| CD

5/2

Shed maiden tag at the seventh attempt over hurdles in striking fashion when winning over C&D back in July. Not seen since so needs to prove fitness, and he is 11lb higher. Must hold a big shout in this weak race though.

Form: 7887-31

Mr Washington^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Aidan Coleman| T: David Dennis| OR: 98

5/1

0-4 over obstacles but is unexposed and posted a respectable run when third at Warwick (2m5f; heavy) on return from over a year off the track. Entitled to improve past Jimmy Bell who finished second then, so should therefore go close.

Form: 3623/0-3

Flutiste^p1,t1²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Nick Scholfield| T: Ella Pickard| OR: 95

28/1

Steps up in trip from 2m3f to 2m7f on handicap debut after showing very minor ability in maiden/novice company. Open to improvement, but cannot be taken seriously on what he has shown so far.

Form: 2-3750

Jimmy Bell^p¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Edward Austin⁽⁷⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 92

7/2

Showed definite improvement from encouraging seasonal reappearance to finish second at Warwick (2m5f; heavy). That was his best effort for some time. 0-17 but looks capable of finishing in the money again if reproducing that form.

Form: 4460-42

Aniknam²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-4| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 78

3/1

Posted an eye-catching effort when attempting to make all at Hexham (2m7f; heavy) over this trip last time out. Was reeled in late in the day then, but that was a marked step up on previous efforts. Big chance if in the same form.

Form: FP7/0P2

Simply Lucky^p,t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-3| J: Danny McMenamin⁽⁵⁾| T: M E Sowersby| OR: 77| CD

18/1

Pulled-up at Market Rasen (2m7f; soft) on his latest start when struggling badly. Was a poor sixth the time before that at Huntingdon (3m1f; good) so has enough to prove. Did go close over C&D when runner-up in September. 1lb below that mark now.

Form: 57256P

Forecasts

Oscar Maguire (5/2), Aniknam (3/1), Jimmy Bell (7/2), Mr Washington (5/1), Aengus (7/1), Simply Lucky (18/1), Flutiste (28/1)

After their recent meeting at Warwick, Mr Washington is entitled to improve past Jimmy Bell who he finished narrowly behind that day. It was the formers first run in over a year, while the latter already had the benefit of a reappearance run under his belt. Oscar Maguire demolished his rivals when tasting success for the first time over hurdles over C&D, but he hasn't been seen since for 175 days since then which is concerning. Thus, we'll go for ANIKNAM to build upon his enthusiastic display at Hexham recently and record his first career success in five years. Aengus is 2lb better off with the selection than he was last time and should also be thereabouts.