MansionBet's Watch And Bet Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 5m 9.90s

Calva D'Auge³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 136

5/2

Won 3 novice events in the mud last season and bounced straight back from a disappointing reappearance when scoring in big field at Taunton (19f) under Angus Cheleda last month. Respected.

Form: 4115-61

Nordic Combined^b,t¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: Fergus Gillard⁽⁵⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 130

10/3

Opened hurdles account at Taunton final run last term and returned in good form, hampered last when fifth of 16 at Cheltenham latest. Didn't appear to stay when sixth over C&D last year, though.

Form: 41-6525

The Cob²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Kielan Woods| T: B Pauling| OR: 129

9/4

Uttoxeter novice winner on return and improved to follow up in 19f heavy-ground Haydock handicap a month later. 5 lb rise demands a bit more but that's possible.

Form: 37/23-11

Azzerti⁵⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Adrian Heskin| T: A King| OR: 129| C

12/1

Mostly disappointing over fences since winning here a year ago. Remains to be seen if a return to hurdling improves matters.

Form: 650P-49

Good Man Pat¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Alexander Thorne⁽⁵⁾| T: A King| OR: 128

4/1

Useful chaser in recent years who returned to form faced with a lesser test over hurdles when fourth at Taunton (19f) recently. Underfoot conditions fine and victories gained in small-field affairs.

Form: 704-064

Non-Runners

Ch'tibello¹⁷

Weight: 11-12| Age: 9

T: D Skelton J: Non Runner

Kateson²⁴

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: T Lacey J: T Scudamore

Forecasts

The Cob (9/4), Calva D'Auge (5/2), Kateson (3/1), Nordic Combined (10/3), Good Man Pat (4/1), Ch'tibello (5/1), Azzerti (12/1)

A case can be made for most of these in what looks a quite a trappy affair. KATESON is very much at home in the mud so he gets the nod to overcome a small rise for Aintree. Nordic Combined could also have a big say if his stamina holds now back up in trip, while hat-trick seeking The Cob can't be discounted either.