QuinnBet Handicap Hurdle

Off time: 13:41 | Winning time: 4m 59.1s

Novis Adventus^t³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 120| D

33/1

Emphatic winner in first-time cheekpieces (20f) in September 2018. Confined to just 3 hurdles starts since and recent Flat efforts hardly brimming with promise. Lots to prove.

Form: 77150/P

Bucko's Boy¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Page Fuller| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 118| D

9/4

Bumper winner who opened hurdles account in a Fakenham maiden (20f) in May. Better effort when second on handicap debut over C&D in June and not seen to best effect at Bangor 11 days ago.

Form: 3UF-124

Quick Draw^b1¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 117

13/2

Improved when gaining breakthrough success over hurdles at Chepstow in April. Decent shift when third of 7 on chase debut at Huntingdon but back hurdling after lesser run at Kempton. Blinkers on.

Form: 3513-3P

The Knot Is Tied²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: Bryony Frost| T: N B King| OR: 114| D

3/1

Finally gained a second hurdle success when easily seeing off 5 rivals at Fakenham last month. Didn't fully convince over 3m from 10 lb higher at Aintree and now down in trip. Highly respected.

Form: 53-4613

Calvinist^p³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Sean Quinlan| T: K Frost| OR: 112| CD

7/1

Completed a double over C&D in September and wasn't disgraced when fourth at Worcester next time. Found out in a better race at Cheltenham last month but this more suitable.

Form: 631146

Seaborough¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Aaron Anderson⁽⁵⁾| T: D Shaw| OR: 94

11/4

Arrives on a long losing run and, while he's been holding form well lately, he needs everything to drop right if he's to get his head in front.

Form: 223544

Forecasts

Bucko's Boy (9/4), Seaborough (11/4), The Knot Is Tied (3/1), Quick Draw (13/2), Calvinist (7/1), Novis Adventus (33/1)

THE KNOT IS TIED shaped as though this revised mark may well be within range at Aintree a month ago, and with this drop back in trip sire to suit, he looks the way to go. Bucko's Boy wasn't seen to best effect at Bangor last time so needs treating as though still in form and he's feared most.