In Memory Of Ian Vickers Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:12 | Winning time: 5m 6.26s

Sam's Gunner^t1⁶¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 118| D

16/5

Useful hurdler in 2018. Lightly raced and not so good since but he hinted at a revival when seventh of 13 in handicap at Wetherby (21f) last time. Tongue strap on, and interesting off reduced mark.

Form: 32/75-07

Chinwag^t³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁷⁾| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 115| BF

11/10

Much improved since having wind op and tongue strap went on, scoring at Wincanton and Taunton before excellent third at Taunton last month. Up 3 lb but another bold showing is likely.

Form: 2-36113

Sidi Ismael³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: Craig Nichol| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 113

7/2

Yet to score over hurdles but he arrives in excellent nick, fourth of 11 in handicap hurdle at Musselburgh (2m4f) last time. Ought to give another good account off 1 lb lower mark here.

Form: 4P-22F4

Reverant Cust⁵³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: Ross Chapman| T: D Brooke| OR: 112

40/1

Fairly useful 2m chase winner for Peter Atkinson last season but no immediate promise in two runs for new stable this term. Reverts to hurdles and difficult to fancy at present.

Form: 6165-76

Tabou Beach Boy^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: Henry Brooke| T: R Menzies| OR: 108

22/1

Fair 2m winner over hurdles. Not disgraced in 2 jumpers bumpers last month, but his most recent effort in that sphere was underwhelming. Has a bit to prove back hurdling now.

Form: 9-70358

Kauto D'Amour⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Ryan Mania| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 108

8/1

Off the mark in 2m Newcastle handicap last January but well below par over hurdles/fences so far this season. Has questions to answer at the moment.

Form: 5142-86

Non-Runners

Conceal³⁶

Weight: 11-1| Age: 6

T: B Pauling J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Chinwag (11/10), Sam's Gunner (16/5), Sidi Ismael (7/2), Conceal (5/1), Kauto D'Amour (8/1), Tabou Beach Boy (22/1), Reverant Cust (40/1)

An open handicap in which it could pay to side with SAM'S GUNNER, a useful performer at his best who took a big step back in the right direction when seventh at Wetherby last time. He now figures on a very atttractive mark so is taken to fend off the in-form duo Chinwag and Sidi Ismael who can chase home Michael Easterby's gelding in that order.