Britain's Most Scenic Racecourse Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 6m 38.03s

The Very Thing^h²³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Billy Garritty⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 97

7/1

Made an uninspiring start for his current yard last term but, having edged down the weights, bounced back when second at Wetherby on his final outing. Obvious claims if tuned up after 7 months off.

Form: 7/43PP2-

Achill Road Boy^b³³

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Sam Coltherd⁽³⁾| T: W Coltherd| OR: 95| C| D

16/5

Fair winning 3m chaser who has looked laboured back over hurdles the last twice but does have blinkers refitted now.

Form: 5-24457

Border Victor^p⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: Lorcan Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: F P Murtagh| OR: 90| D

12/1

Modest hurdler who has offered no encouragement on either outing this term. Best to look elsewhere.

Form: P624-P3

Cudgel²⁷⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: J Walton| OR: 85| CD

9/4

Generally consistent over hurdles/fences last season, a creditable third in a handicap over the larger obstacles at Carlisle 9 months ago. Not seen since, but returns in a weak affair.

Form: 421323-

The Mayne Man⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-7| J: Thomas Dowson| T: P A Kirby| OR: 78

8/1

Showed a bit in bumpers but has been well held all over hurdles. Makes handicap debut from basement mark.

Form: 30-9005

Classical Sound³⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Sean Quinlan| T: R Dobbin| OR: 77

7/2

Lightly raced in recent seasons but did post a creditable effort on last year's reappearance, so not discounted despite running poorly on his sole subsequent outing.

Form: P425/37-

Dorothy's Flame^p¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Joe Williamson⁽⁷⁾| T: J C Haynes| OR: 69

28/1

Looks very limited judged on what she's shown thus far.

Form: 8P560-P

Forecasts

Cudgel (9/4), Achill Road Boy (16/5), Classical Sound (7/2), The Very Thing (7/1), The Mayne Man (8/1), Border Victor (12/1), Dorothy's Flame (28/1)

A weak handicap hurdle that could go the way of ACHILL ROAD BOY, who has a fitness edge over most and, while below form the last twice, might be perked up by the refitting of blinkers. The Very Thing and Cudgel ran well on their latest outing but aren't sure to be fit for their respective return.