Central Roofing Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 5m 9.70s

Demachine^t1³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: R Johnson| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 120

13/8

Third in Doncaster maiden over this trip and Warwick maiden over 2m5f the last twice. Shoulders top weight for handicap bow but jockey booking makes clear the intentions for this beautifully-bred chasing type.

Form: 733

Alnadam¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 117

7/4

Heavy ground Uttoxeter winner over 2m subsequently fourth in Leicester novice under penalty and Newbury handicap over 2m4½f. Second from latest race won since so serious contender in this weaker race.

Form: 1-8144

The Crooner⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 115| BF

11/1

Off the mark at the ninth time of asking at Leicester over 2m but failed to reproduce the effort upped to 2m6f at Kelso where he didn't jump fluently as co-fav before being pulled up. Needs to bounce back but no obvious reason he can't.

Form: 336-51P

Winged Isle^h¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones⁽³⁾| T: D Burchell| OR: 110

16/1

Massive step forward in fourth start last month where he finished third at Ludlow belying his 100/1 odds. Needs to back the effort up now but seems to be improving as he enters handicaps which is always a dangerous combination.

Form: PP73

Sastruga³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: J McGrath| T: Henry Oliver| OR: 110

9/2

Seemed to be gradually improving in four races last year but after seven weeks off he disappointed at Warwick. Form of Uttoxeter second in December in a handicap off 3lb lower would be good enough to go well here.

Form: 2-79628

Sabbathical¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Conor Ring⁽³⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 107| D

14/1

Looked one to follow when hacking up by 15L over 2m4½f at Leicester in January but below par since and particularly disappointing at Exeter latest. Not sure what to make of him now but already proven there is an engine.

Form: 703149

Forecasts

Demachine (13/8), Alnadam (7/4), Sastruga (9/2), The Crooner (11/1), Sabbathical (14/1), Winged Isle (16/1)

Dan Skelton boasts a 42 per-cent strike rate at this course this season and his Uttoxeter winner ALNADAM ran sufficiently well at Newbury latest to recommend him in this considerably smaller field. Handicap debutant Demachine is a long-term chaser but he has shown enough to be of interest here and the booking of Richard Johnson suggests he is expected to go close. Both Sabbathical and Sastruga disappointed last time out but they had shown enough beforehand to be of interest.