William Hill Play Responsibily Handicap

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 2m 51.94s

(1)

Pearl Warrior^p²⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 85

17/2

20/1 and blinkered 1st time, creditable second of 12 in handicap at Dundalk (12f) when last seen in October. First run for yard after leaving John Patrick Murtagh and cheekpieces back on. Big player.

Form: 164492-

(2)

Raymond²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Garritty⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 84| D

15/8

Lightly-raced winner on Flat. Fair 2m hurdles winner. Career best when winning 4-runner handicap at Chelmsford City (13.3f, 5/1) 20 days ago, having run of race. 4 lb rise fair and should go well.

Form: 2141

(4)

Red Force One¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: K Stott| T: P A Kirby| OR: 81

11/4

100/1, below form sixth of 22 in handicap hurdle at Aintree (16.5f, good to soft) last time. Below par on latest start in this sphere, but eased 3 lb since and it'd be no surprise were he to go close.

Form: 22/56-30

(3)

Kitten's Dream⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 76

15/8

Two wins from 6 runs last year. Last of 7 in handicap at Thirsk (12f, good to firm, 28/1) 9 days ago. Eased in class now and claims if able to bounce back over this new trip.

Form: 2151-47

Forecasts

Raymond (15/8), Kitten's Dream (15/8), Red Force One (11/4), Pearl Warrior (17/2)

Preference is for Irish-import PEARL WARRIOR, who makes his debut for new connections off a mark just 2 lb above that off which he made a winning reappearance at Fairyhouse last season. Though this is Raymond's first run on turf in this sphere, he's proven on grass (multiple hurdles winner on good ground) and, with Red Force One and Kitten's Dream both below par last time, he is second choice.