A Bookworm's Paradise oliversbookshop.co.uk Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:24 | Winning time: 6m 25.96s

The Captains Inn⁶¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: Luca Morgan⁽⁷⁾| T: B Pauling| OR: 130

5/1

Winner of novice hurdles at Leicester and Uttoxeter during 2018/19 campaign. Missed whole of last season, but yard in good form and he's one to note in the betting on this handicap debut.

Form: 2611P/

Exploiteur¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-2| J: Lily Pinchin⁽⁵⁾| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 123

4/5

Has improved switched to handicaps this season, runner-up on return at Bangor prior to going one better at Ffos Las (21.9f) recently. 8 lb rise fair enough and another bold show anticipated.

Form: 6045-21

Trixster²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 11-2| J: Charlie Price⁽⁵⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 123| CD

9/1

Three-time hurdles winner who was a promising third at Hexham on sole start/chase debut last term. Shaped better than distance beaten on Ffos Las reappearance back in this sphere and merits respect.

Form: 1274/3-6

Gustavian^t²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Rex Dingle⁽³⁾| T: A J Honeyball| OR: 121| BF

3/1

Winner of an Exeter maiden on hurdles debut in January. Solid second in a first-time hood (discarded here) on handicap debut at Fontwell (19.2f) last month and claims if coping with this new trip.

Form: 2212-2

Non-Runners

Broughtons Admiral¹⁷

Weight: 11-3| Age: 6

T: D Pipe J: Fergus Gillard

Dadsintrouble¹⁶

Weight: 11-2| Age: 10

T: Tim Vaughan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Exploiteur (4/5), Gustavian (3/1), The Captains Inn (5/1), Dadsintrouble (13/2), Trixster (9/1), Broughtons Admiral (12/1)

Though his wellbeing needs taking on trust following a lengthy layoff, THE CAPTAINS INN represents an in-form yard and makes the switch to handicap company off what looks a potentially handy mark. Needless to say, confidence levels will heighten if the market vibes are positive. Exploiteur is an obvious threat on the back of his Ffos Las success, while Trixster and Gustavian also command respect.