Vobe Electrics Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 3m 51.26s

Pagero²³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-11| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 126| BF

5/1

Improved when completing the hat-trick back from an 8-month break at Newton Abbot in August. Failed to fire when last seen at Hexham in October, but no surprise were he to bounce back here.

Form: 811/127-

Ballinsker¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 11-8| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 123| CD

13/8

Did the job well when making a winning hurdles bow over C&D in October 2019. Pretty highly tried since (contested top handicaps last 3 starts in this sphere) and merits respect back in calmer waters.

Form: 4/2600-8

Takeit Easy⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Miss Gina Andrews⁽³⁾| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 121| CD

9/5

Successful back from a break on handicap debut at Huntingdon in October. Added to his tally over C&D last time, for which a 3 lb rise is very fair, and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 43/1631-

Soldier On Parade^p³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 123| D

12/1

Front runner who bagged 3 consecutive juvenile events at Market Rasen last year. Struggled in better company in this sphere since and effort on the Flat at Southwell last month was poor.

Form: 11168P-

Inn The Bull³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: J J Burke| T: A Ralph| OR: 115| BF| CD

8/1

Took advantage of a reduced mark in this sphere at Huntingdon last month. However, disappointing under a penalty at Chepstow 11 days later and more needed now that new mark has kicked in.

Form: P445/18-

Non-Runners

Jamacho¹⁵

Weight: 11-8| Age: 7

T: C E Longsdon J: B S Hughes

Diva De Vassy¹⁵

Weight: 11-7| Age: 5

T: J Candlish J: Page Fuller

Chasamax³²

Weight: 11-2| Age: 6

T: N J Henderson J: N de Boinville

Forecasts

Ballinsker (13/8), Takeit Easy (9/5), Pagero (5/1), Chasamax (5/1), Inn The Bull (8/1), Diva De Vassy (10/1), Soldier On Parade (12/1), Jamacho (20/1)

It may be worth siding with BALLINSKER, who has yet to make an impact since switched to handicaps but it should be pointed out that the three he has contested are among the most competitive on the jump racing calendar, namely the Greatwood, Betfair Hurdle and, most recently, the Swinton. Takeit Easy is an obvious threat on the back of his C&D success and Pagero is also accorded respect.