Valentine's Day Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:55 | Winning time: 6m 13.20s

Dundrum Wood⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Aidan Coleman| T: O Murphy| OR: 120

15/8

Improved on second on hurdles bow when scoring nicely at Market Rasen (2m2f) in November on first start following wind surgery. Returns from nearly three month break and makes handicap bow over 5f further. Could be more to come if he stays.

Form: 313-21

Penny Mallow¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: G Sheehan| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 118| BF| C

2/1

Fair form in bumpers last term. Won first two starts over hurdles and failed by just a neck to give 12lb at Carlisle last week. First start in a handicap and steps up half a mile in trip. Should give another good account of himself.

Form: 17-112

Nifty At Fifty⁴¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Matt Griffiths| T: J Scott| OR: 117| BF

11/2

Ran out 3 out when every chance at Wincanton last time having won there time before over extended 2m5f. Swerved and unseated rider 2 out at Exeter earlier in term so looks a touch quirky. Chance if able to keep mind on the job.

Form: 20U21R

Premier D'troice¹²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Miss Brodie Hampson⁽³⁾| T: A Watson| OR: 116

9/1

Ex-Irish gelding off the mark last time at Punchestown 2m4f in October. Not seen since and makes British debut for new handler. Not the easiest to assess so well worth checking for signs of market confidence.

Form: 1U7231

Woulduadamandeveit^t1⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Lucy Gardner| T: Mrs S Gardner| OR: 102

7/2

First-time tongue-tie applied. Showed plenty of ability when placed in two Listed bumpers in 2017/18 season. Lightly raced since and shown only modest hurdles form. Kept on after last at Warwick 2m3f latest and stiffer test may help cause.

Form: 876P-05

Forecasts

Dundrum Wood (15/8), Penny Mallow (2/1), Woulduadamandeveit (7/2), Nifty At Fifty (11/2), Premier D'troice (9/1)

The mare PENNY MALLOW has done little wrong in her three starts over hurdles, winning the first two then only narrowly failing under a double penalty last time. The extra 4f should suit on handicap bow and she can just get the better of another promising sort, Dundrum Wood. The top weight won nicely at Market Rasen last time and if he stays will give the selection plenty to think about. Nifty At Fifty threw his chance away last time - not for the first time - and doesn't looks straightforward, while ex-Irish Premier D'troice has joined a good team and is worth noting for a market move.