Sharon Knapp Memorial Cup Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:38 | Winning time: 5m 56.31s

Ratfacemcdougall^b,t²⁰¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: Max Kendrick| T: F O'Brien| OR: 136

11/1

Progressive five-time winner for Graeme McPherson last term. 3 lb rise for latest success at Warwick (25f) in April looks fair, but a new personal-best is needed on this return/debut for new yard.

Form: 71P111-

Blackjack Kentucky^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-12| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 135

7/2

Useful hurdler who ended last season on a high, landing a 23.6f Chepstow handicap in first-time cheekpieces. Runner-up off this mark on return at Newton Abbot (26.5f) and he needs considering.

Form: 12/4P1-2

Dolphin Square^p¹⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-11| J: Mr D Maxwell⁽³⁾| T: P Hobbs & J White| OR: 134| BF

5/1

Spent second half of last term over fences, easily landing the odds in a 3-runner Kelso hunter in May. Good second off 3 lb higher in this sphere on last season's reappearance and couldn't rule out.

Form: 2P25-12

Welsh Saint^p²⁰⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: S Thomas| OR: 132

9/2

Winner of Class 2 Haydock handicap hurdle in February 2020. Failed to shine over fences last term and well held back hurdling on latest start, but resumes for new yard on a potentially handy mark.

Form: 10/U340-

Nordano^p²⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: J E Moore| T: N B King| OR: 122

33/1

Now 5 lb lower than for his runaway success in a big-field Ascot handicap in February 2020. It's been all downhill since, though, and he was well adrift of Ratfacemcdougall at Warwick in April.

Form: 50PP85-

Khan^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: P J Brennan| T: M F Harris| OR: 110

15/8

Returned to winning ways in 25f Huntingdon handicap hurdle last month. Followed that with a solid effort in defeat at Exeter, but needs to pull out more if he's to emerge on top here.

Form: 714512

Shah An Shah²⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-1| J: J J Burke| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 110WS

9/1

Went close in 3¼m Warwick handicap off 2 lb higher on New Year's Eve. That was his only noteworthy effort last term, but capable of a very bold show if subsequent wind op has had the desired effect.

Form: 86P2P8-

Forecasts

Khan (15/8), Blackjack Kentucky (7/2), Welsh Saint (9/2), Dolphin Square (5/1), Shah An Shah (9/1), Ratfacemcdougall (11/1), Nordano (33/1)

Last season was a write-off for WELSH SAINT, but he will be a big player if returning to action for his new yard in good order. Indeed, the 7-y-o is 2 lb lower than for his latest success and he still has relatively low mileage. Dolphin Square also resumes on an attractive mark and he is second choice, albeit only marginally as Shah An Shah and Blackjack Kentucky are also shortlisted.