Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 4m 6.67s

(5)

Cotton Club²³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: B A Curtis| T: G Boughey| OR: 77

7/1

Winner at Bath last August (good to firm), has some all-weather form to call upon, but it's mostly on Tapeta and this surface asks a new question of him; in no great form in two starts this winter anyway, and not hard to look elsewhere.

Form: 14825-5

(6)

Sandro Botticelli^b⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 75

40/1

Rated 100+ at his peak, but that was four years ago and he looks a shadow of the horse he was; well beaten over hurdles latest start, that coming after an absence, and makes only minimal appeal here.

Form: 578008/

(2)

Tynecastle Park⁶⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Selma Grage⁽⁷⁾| T: R Eddery| OR: 70| C

11/8

Tremendous record here, four wins and six places from 11 starts; has won over two miles, yet to try this far but gives the impression he will stay, and made all for this pilot here in December; one with a big chance.

Form: 211221-

(3)

Great Hall^p¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-2| J: S W Kelly| T: M Quinn| OR: 67

20/1

Useful handicapper at his peak, but that was some while ago, with his last win coming in April 2018 and he looks on the downgrade now; recent efforts over hurdles not terrible, but this demands plenty more.

Form: 509789-

(1)

Padleyourowncanoe¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Rob Hornby| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 64| C

6/5

Very useful hurdler/chaser that made the most of his lenient looking Flat mark to score at Lingfield last time, although had to work for it; has a win on this surface under his belt, trip likely to suit, and looks one of two standout candidates.

Form: 25U22/1

Non-Runners

(4)

Pumblechook³⁵

Weight: 8-10| Age: 7

T: I Jardine J: Jamie Gormley

Forecasts

Padleyourowncanoe (6/5), Tynecastle Park (11/8), Pumblechook (13/2), Cotton Club (7/1), Great Hall (20/1), Sandro Botticelli (40/1)

On all we know this looks a match between Tynecastle Park and PADLEYOUROWNCANOE, and both have plenty to recommend their chances. Tynecastle Park's record here is superb - only once has he been out of the frame in 11 starts, and he will be a tough nut to crack, but Padleyourowncanoe should relish this trip and with a win on the surface to his name already, that helps negate any worries about his ability to handle the track. Pumblechook has half a chance of upsetting the applecart, with this trip likely to suit him too.