William Hill Leading Racecourse Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:40 | Winning time: 4m 6.60s

Christopher Wood^p,t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Angus Cheleda⁽⁷⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| D

5/1

Fine second at Kempton during the Christmas period and produced a career-best when going one better at Musselburgh. Perhaps ridden a shade too aggressively in Morebattle Hurdle over C&D last time.

Form: 0-39218

Tommy's Oscar²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny McMenamin| T: Mrs A Hamilton| OR: 132| D

2/1

Winning pointer who completed a hat-trick over hurdles at Musselburgh in January. Lost no caste in defeat there next time and raced closer to the pace than ideal in Morebattle over C&D 3 weeks ago.

Form: 211126

Across The Line³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-3| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 125| D

15/8

Dual novice hurdle winner who ran creditably under a double penalty after 8 weeks off when second at Doncaster (16.6f) last month. Into handicaps now and should remain competitive.

Form: 413412

Cracking Destiny¹²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Callum Bewley| T: A C Whillans| OR: 120| D

14/1

Useful chaser who proved better than ever when scoring at Perth (20f) in September. Good fifth in Old Roan Chase at Aintree but pulled at Doncaster last time. Freshened up since.

Form: 42145P

Hasanabad^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: S Bowen| T: Ian Williams| OR: 119| D

5/1

Useful on Flat and made winning hurdle debut at Southwell (2m) in September. Respectable efforts since, shaping much better than the distance beaten suggests in the Imperial Cup at Sandown last time.

Form: 13334

Non-Runners

Dubai Days¹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 7

T: N W Alexander J: B S Hughes

Forecasts

Across The Line (15/8), Tommy's Oscar (2/1), Dubai Days (3/1), Christopher Wood (5/1), Hasanabad (5/1), Cracking Destiny (14/1)

TOMMY'S OSCAR raced closer to the pace than ideal in the Morebattle over C&D last time, so he remains one to keep onside, especially given how well his Musselburgh form has worked out. Dubai Days has been hiked up 12 lb for his Wetherby success, but the way he did it suggests he should hold his own in this better-quality handicap, though he was below par on Friday. Hasanabad is also feared.